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THE 



HISTORY OF COHOES, 



NEW YORK. 



THE 



HISTORY OF COHOES, 



NEW YORK, 



EARLIEST SETTLEMENT TO THE PRESENT TIME. 



y 



COrfJu^v' ^ . ' yh^.(xJb^^^^^ 




ALBANY: 
JOEL MUNSELL 

1877. 



^ 



INTRODUCTION. 



The preparation of a sketch of the history of Cohoes 
was commenced by the writer at the request of the 
Hon. D. J. Johnston, mayor of the city, made in ac- 
cordance with a proclamation issued by the president, 
calling attention to the following resolution passed by 
Congress, May 13, 1876 : 

" It is hereby recommended to the people of the 
several states that they assemble in their several coun- 
ties or towns on the approaching Centennial Anniver- 
sary of our National Independence, and that they cause 
to have delivered on such day an historical sketch of 
said county or town from its formation, and that a 
copy of said sketch be filed, in print or manuscript, 
in the clerk's office of said county, and an additional 
copy, in print or manuscript, be filed in the office of 
the librarian of congress, to the intent that a complete 
record may thus be obtained of the progress of our 
institutions during the first centennial of their ex- 
istence." 

The understanding was that the sketch should be 
published in one of the city papers in case it was not 
completed by July 4th. It was found, however, after 



vi. Introduction. 

some progress had been made, that if limited to the 
length suitable for production in the manner proposed, 
the history would in many particulars be incomplete 
and unsatisfactory, and it was accordingly decided to 
enlarge it to the form in which it now appears. 

As the manufacturing interests of Cohoes have 
always been its most important feature, their history 
forms in a great measure that of the place and con- 
sequently occupies a large share of the following pages. 

An effort has been made to relate in addition the 
principal facts in the early history of this locality, and 
to describe the general progress of the place since the 
j&rst steps were taken, fifty years ago, towards the 
development of its resources, giving accounts of its 
various institutions and of the most important local 
events. 

Great care has been taken to insure accuracy in all re- 
spects — especially in regard to names and dates, though 
in a work of this sort, abounding in details, it is of 
course impossible to avoid a certain number of errors. 
"Whenever it has been necessary to depend for data 
upon the memory of individuals, the information thus 
obtained has been verified, if possible, by a comparison 
of the versions given by different persons, and by 
reference to such records as are in existence. Ex- 
cept in the case of chapters I and VIII, an arrange- 
ment of facts in their chronological order rather than 
according to subject has been adopted, in the belief 



Introduction. vii. 

that a better idea would thus he afforded of the gene- 
ral growth and progress of the place. Although this 
method makes the narrative at times disconnected, it 
appears preferable on the whole, since its disadvan- 
tages have been obviated as far as possible by foot notes 
and tlio full index at the close of the volume. 

The materials used in the preparation of the book, 
aside from those obtained from private sources, have 
been for the greater part furnished by the files of the 
Cohoes Cataract, Cohoes Daily News, Troy Times, and 
Troy Press. Many facts have also been taken from 
the valuable publications of Mr. Joel Munsell concern- 
ing the history of Albany. 

The writer would here express his obligations to 
the many friends who have assisted him in his labors, 
particularly to his father, James H. Masten, to whom 
he is indebted for constant aid and advice. Among 
others to whom acknowledgments are especially due 
may be mentioned Messrs. Joshua R. Clarke, Lucien 
Fitts, Henry D. Fuller and Nicholas En Earl of Cohoes; 
Miss E. Howe and Mr. Isaac I. Fonda of Waterford ; 
Mr. Timothy Bailey of Ballston ; Mr. Evert Van Der 
Mark of Lansingburg, Mr. Oliver C. Hubbard of 
West Troy and Mr. Chas. A. Olmsted of Lockport, 
N. Y., who have furnished much valuable information 
which could not otherwise have been obtained. 

The writer is also indebted to Messrs. T. G. Young- 
love, D. J. Johnston and Harvey Clute of Cohoes; Mrs. 



viii. Introduction. 

Hugh White of Waterford, Mr. A. A. Peebles of 
Lansingburg, and Mr. Charles Van Zandt of the Van 
Rensselaer office, Albany, for access to important docu- 
ments, and to Mr. A. J. Weise of Troy for the use of 
the cut of the Van Schaick House and other favors. 

Arthur H. Masten. 
Cohoes, DecembeVy 1876. 



HISTORY OF COHOES. 



Early Accounts of this Locality, from the Writings 
OP Visitors to the Falls. 

XT is well known tliat tlie word CoJioes is of Indian 
origin, and lias been the designation (with varied orthogra- 
phy) of this locality from the earliest times. Its exact 
derivation and meaning, however, have not been agreed 
upon. The different versions of Indian legends all have as 
their most prominent feature, a canoe carried over the Falls 
by the current, and this fact has furnished the derivation 
generally accepted. The signification — "a canoe falling" — 
has been given by almost every writer on the subject since 
Spafford, who wrote in 1813 : "The name is of indiginal 
origin, and like the most such, has an appropriate allusion. 
Cah-hoos or Ca-hoos, a canoe falling, as exj)lained by the 
late learned Indian sachem, Brandt, of illustrious memory." 
In IVIorgan's League of the Ho-de-sau-nee or Iroquois is a 
list of the settlements in the different territories, and under 
the head of Ga-ne-a-ga-o-no-ga or Mohawk territory, the 
author gives " Cohoes Falls: In Mohawk dialect Ga-ha- 
oose, meaning the ship-wrecked canoe." Many persons, on 
the contrary, whose knowledge of the Indian dialects en- 
titles their opinion to respect, give another inter j)retati on to 
the word, which is stated as follows in an article published 
in the Schenectady He/lector, in IBS'/ : " The term in ques- 
tion is in the Mohegan language ; its signification we cannot 
express without circumlocution, unless we use the word 
pitch or plunge, or coin a new substantive, overshoot. The 
1 



2 History of Cohoes. 1642. 

Canadian Indians designate by the name cahoos those un- 
pleasant hollows which occnr in roads covered with snow, 
and which sleigh riders vulgarly call jjitch holes or more 
commonly cradle holes.'''' This derivation seems perhaps the 
more reasonable, though the other has the sanction of long 
use and general acceptance. Whatever the meaning of the 
word, it is certain that the name of our city had its origin 
in something connected with the Falls. This being so, and 
since the town has always been more or less associated with 
the Falls in the public mind, it may not be amiss to give in 
this sketch some of the earliest references to them. 

Though the history of Cohoes as a town of importance 
commenced barely half a century ago, the spot on which 
the city stands was well known both abroad and in this 
country at a very early day. The natural beauties of the 
locality brought here many of the travelers who visited 
America in the 1*7 th and 18th centuries. Albany, then one 
of the most important cities in the country, was one of the 
first places visited by foreigners, and as the Falls were 
among the most accessible objects of interest to persons 
staying there, we find accounts, or at all events mention of 
them, in a large number of the books of American travel. 

Allusions to the Falls are also frequent in the English 
and French documentary history of the seventeenth and 
eighteenth centuries, having reference generally to the navi- 
gation of the river. 

The earliest account of the place which I have been able 
to find is that of the Rev. Johannes Megapolensis, the first 
minister of the gospel in Albany, who settled there in 1642. 
It was contained in a description which he wrote to 
friends in Holland of the manners and habits of the Mohawk 
Indians, and is as follows: 

" Through this land runs an excellent river about five hun- 
dred or six hundred paces wide. This rivei', comes out of the 
Mahakas country, about four miles north of us. There it 



1656. History of Cohoes. 3 

flows between two high rocky banks, and falls from a height 
equal to that of a church, with such a noise that we can 
sometimes hear it with us. In the beginning of June 
twelve of us took a ride to see it. When we came there 
we saw not only the river falling with such a noise that we 
could hardly hear one another, but the water boiling and 
dashing with such force in still weather, that it was all the 
time as if it were raining ; and the trees on the hills there 
(which are as high as Schooler Duyn) had their leaves all 
the time wet exactly as if it rained. The water is as clear 
as crystal and as fresh as milk. I and another with me saw 
there in clear sunshine, when there was not a cloud in the 
sky, as we stood above upon the rocks, directly opposite 
where the river falls in a great abyss, the half of a rainbow, 
or a quarter circle of the same color with the rainbow in the 
sky. And when we had gone about ten or twelve rods 
further downwards from the fall, along the river, we saw a 
complete rainbow, or half a circle appearing clearly in the 
water just the same as if it had been in the clouds, and this 
is always to be seen by those who go there. In this river is 
great plenty of several kinds of fish, pike, eels, perch, lam- 
preys, suckers, cat fish, sun fish, shad, bass, etc. In the spring, 
in May, the perch are so plenty that one man with a hook 
and line, can catch in one hour as many as ten or twelve 
can eat. My boys have caught in less than an hour, fifty, 
each a foot long. They have a three pronged instrument 
with which they fish, and draw up frequently two or three 
perch at once. There is also in the river a great plenty of 
sturgeon, which we Christians do not eat, but the Indians 
eat them greedily. ' In this river, too, are very beautiful 
islands, containing, ten, twenty, thirty, fifty and seventy 
morgens"^ of land." 

The Description of New NetherloAids published in Am- 
sterdam in 1656, byAdriaen Van Der Donck,'^ contained some 
interesting accounts of his explorations in this vicinity, 
among them the following concerning the Falls : 



1 Dr. Mitchill (in Coll. N. Y. Hist. Soc, i, 41), says: "No particular path wus 
selected 1)> tlie sturgeons. They seem to have swam !it large, as they do at present. 
But they assembled for the propagation of their kind at the bottom of the Cohoes 
or great fulls of the Alohock." John Maude, from whose account a quotation is 
given further on, stated that the river then (1800) furnished pike, bass and trout. 

"^ A morgen is about two acreH. 

5 New York Iliatorical Collections. 



4 History of Cohoes. 1656. 

" The other arm of the North River runs by four sprouts 
as we have related to the great falls of the Macjuas Kill 
(Mohawk River) which the Indians name tlie Chahoos and 
our nation the Great Fall, above which the river is again 
several hundred yards wide and the falls we estimate to be 
one hundred and tifty or two hundred feet high. ' The 
water glides over the falls as smooth as if it ran over an 
even wall and fell over the same. The precii)ice is formed 
of firm blue rock ; near by and below the falls there stand 
several rocks, which appear splendid in the water, rising 
above it like high turf heaps, apparently f roni eight, sixteen 

to thirty feet high The Indians, when they 

travel by water and come to trade, usually come in canoes 
made of the bark of trees, which they know how to con- 
struct. When they come near the falls they land and carry 
their boats and their lading some distance below the falls 
and proceed on their voyage, otherwise th(!y would be driven 
over the falls and destroyed. An occurrence of this kind 
took place here in our time. An Indian whom I have known 
accompanied by his wife and child with sixty beaver skins 
descended the river in liis canoe in the spring when the 
water runsrapid and the current is strongest for the purpose 
of selling his beavers to the Netherlanders. This Indian 
carelessly approached too near the Falls before he discovered 
his danger, and notwithstanding his utmost exertions to 
gain the land, his frail bark with all on board was swept 
over bythe rapid current and down the Falls ; his wife and 
child were killed, his bark shattered to pieces, his cargo of 
furs damaged. But his life was ])reserved. I have fre- 
quently seen the Indian and have heard him relate the j^eril- 
ous occurrence or adventure." 

The following version of one of the Indian legends con- 
cerning the Fall, given in the Sentimental Americmi Tra- 
veller^ may have had its foundation in the account of Van 
Der Donck, above quoted: 

" Many years since, an Indian and his squaw, having made 
too free with the bottle, were carelessly paddling along the 
Mohawk in their canoe. On a sudden, perceivhig themselves 
drawn by the current and hurried down the stream to the 
dreadful cataract, looking upon their fate as inevitable, they 



1 The correct figures, according to measuremeuts taken by Mr. Gwyuu, proprietor 
of the Cataract House, iu 1875 are ; breadth 1,140 feel, height 86 feet. 



1656. History of Cohoes. 5 

composed themselves to die with resohition, in a manner 
worthy their ancestors. They drank the last dregs of the 
intoxicating cup and began the melancholy death song. 
Occuna was dashed into pieces against the rocks ; his faith- 
ful consort escaped, but by what miracle has never been 
known. The Indians of their tribe have preserved this in- 
cident by faithful tradition, and as often as any of them 
pass the fatal spot they make a solemn halt and conmiemo- 
rate the death of Occuna." 

Another form of the legend is the following, which went 
the rounds of the newsjDapers in 1857: 

" A squaw, being fatigued on a hot summer's day, betook 
herself to rest in a canoe a short distance above the Falls. 
She had hardly taken time to lay herself down in the bottom 
of the canoe before it became loosened from its moorings 
and the frail bark was hurled on by the current to the biink 
of the precii)ice. She gathered her blanket over her head 
and resigned herself to her fate, expecting to be dashed 
to pieces on the rocks below. Heaven had however other- 
wise decreed. Her boat had taken the direction which 
brought her to that point of the precipice Avhere there was the 
greatest quantity of water. She was picked xip shortly 
after, some distance below the Falls, senseless through fright 
but otherwise unscathed." 

Van Der Donck said, elsewhere : " I cannot forbear to 
mention that in the year 1647, in the month of March, when 
by a great freshet, the water was fresh almost to the great 
bay, there were two whales of tolerable size, up the river, 
the one turned back, but the other stranded, and stuck not 
far from the great Fall of the Chahoos."' 

The following account of this occurrence is compiled from 
O'Callaghan's History of JVeio JVetherkmd: 

" Tlie winter which had just terminated, was remarkably 



1 Judge Benson, iu jui aitide on the Dutch names of Albany and vicinity {Annals 
of Albany, vol. 2), quotes this pai^saRc and says : " The lauds ininiudiatol.y opposite 
to Albany, and for a distance along and from the river, the Dutch denoti-d as Ilet 
greene bosch, the pine woodf, corrupted to Oreenbush. Tlie mouths of the Moloch 
they distinguished as the iSjirinjtes, corrupted to, and which uiayalso possibly pass 
for a translation, the Sjyrmds. The larger island lormed by the sprouts tlu^y called 
Walvisch Island, Wiiale Island." This name, however, does not appear to have 
been in general use. 



6 History of Cohoes. 1660. 

long and severe. The North River closed at Rensselaerswyck 
on the 25th November, and remained frozen some four 
months. A very high freshet, unequalled since 1639, fol- 
lowed, which destroyed a number of horses in their stables, 
nearly carried away the fort (Fort Orange, at Albany), 
and inflicted considerable other damage in the colonic. ' A 
certain fish of considerable size, snow white in color, round 
in the body, and blowing water out of its head,' made at 
the same time his appearance, stemming the impetuous 
flood. What it portended, ' God the Lord only knew.' All 
the inhabitants were lost in wonder, ' for at the same instant 
that this fish appeared to us, we had the first thunder and 
lightning this year,' The public astonishment had scarcely 
subsided when another monster of the deep, estimated at 
forty feet in length, was seen, of a brown color, having fins 
on his back, and ejecting water in like manner, high in the 
air. Some seafaring people 'who had been to Greenland' 
now pronounced the strange visitor a whale. Intelligence 
was shortly after received that it had grounded on an island 
at the mouth of the Mohawk, and the people turned out in 
numbers to secure the prize, which was, forthwith, subjected 
to the process of roasting in order to extract its oil. Though 
large quantities were obtained, yet so great was the mass 
of blubber, the river was covered with grease for three weeks 
afterwards, and the air infected to such a degree with the 
stench, as the fish lay rotting on the strand, that the smell 
was perceptibly offensive for two (Dutch) miles to leeward." 

The journal of Jasper Dankers and Peter Sluyter, two 
members of the society of Labadists, who came here from 
Holland to procure a site for a colony of their sect, contains 
the following, under date of 23d April, 1660: 

" Mr, Sanders having provided us with horses, we rode 
out about nine o'clock, to visit the Cahoos, which is the 
Falls of the great 3Iaquas Kil (Mohawk River), which are the 
greatest falls not only in New Netherland, but in North 
America, and perhaps, as far as is known, in the whole new 
world. " We rode for two hours over beautiful, level, tillable 
land along the river when we obtained a guide who was 
better acquainted with the road through the woods. He 
rode before us on horseback. In approaching the Cahoos 
from this direction the roads are hilly, and in the course of 
half an hour you have steep hills, deep valleys and narrow 



1699. History of Cohoes. 7 

paths, which run round the precipices, where you must ride 
with care, in order to avoid the danger of falling over them, 
as sometimes happens. As you come near the Falls, you can 
hear the roaring which makes everything tremble, but on 
reaching them and looking at them, you see something 
wonderful, a gi'eat manifestation of God's power and sove- 
reignty, of his wisdom and glory. We arrived there about 
noon. They are on one of the two branches into whicli the 
North River is divided up above, of almost ecpial size. This 
one turns to the west out of the highlands, and coming 
here finds a blue rock which has a steep side as long as the 
river is broad, which, according to my calculation, is two 
hundred paces or more, and rather more than less, and 
about one hundred feet high. The river has more water at 
one time than another, and was now about six or eight feet 
deep. All this volume of water coming on this side fell 
headlong upon a stony bottom, this distance of an hundred 
feet. Any one may judge whether that was not a spectacle, 
and whether it would not make a noise. There is a con- 
tinual spray thrown up by the dashing of the water, and 
when the sun shines the figure of a rainbow may be seen 
through it. Sometimes there are two or three of them to 
be seen, one above the other, according to the brightness of 
the sun and its parallax. There was now more water tliau 
usual in consequence of its having rained hard for several 
days, and the snow water having begun to run down from 
the high land." 

In 1G99, the Earl of Bellomont, who was engaged in 
examining the country for the best means of procuring naval 
supplies for the king, wrote as follows to the Lords of Trade, 
in a report dated Boston, Oct. 20: 

" I am glad to find there are pines of eleven and twelve 
feet about, for cither of those sizes is big enough for a first- 
rate ship, as I am informed, and I am satisfied the trees 
might be floated down the great Fall (which I have been at) 
and then they will be the cheapest in the world, for they 
may be floated all down Hudson's lliver to the ship's sides 
that take 'em in to carry them to England. In summer, 
when there is not a flood in the river, I grant it would 
hazard the breaking such heavy trees to let them tumble 
down that gi*eat Fall, but in winter I cannot believe there's 
the least hazard. I stood looking a good while at that 



8 History of Cohoes. 1701. 

Fall. It is at least six hundred yards broad and in the 
highest place about fifty foot high. Tis eight miles above 
Albany due north. The river while I was there was shal- 
low for about a mile below the Fall, and rocky except just 
under the Fall which the people that were my guides assured 
me was six fathom deep, and the mighty and continual fall 
of water seems to have made the cavity in the rock, for that 
it was solid rock, I could plainly perceive ; to be sure the 
season of the year must be watched when there are floods 
in the river and then I am confident those trees may be 
safely floated, especially if the water be so deep at the foot 
of the Fall as I was told, for then the depth of the water 
will break the fall of the trees, besides there is an art to save 
one of those great trees from breaking with its fall by bind- 
ing lesser trees about it." 

Another report on the same subject was made May 13, 
1701, by Robert Livingston, wlio wrote from New York: 

" As to the production of masts and other naval stores 
in this province I beg leave to inform your Lordships that 
I am told those that are already cut are not so large as the 
dimensions the Earl did notify, but are much less, and are 
now on ground above the Falls, and cannot be got down 
until the fall of the leafe, that tlie rivers are up ; thatthei'e 
is no experiment made of getting any down the F'all. Some 
are of opinion that the fall will spoil them, some otherwise. 
It is about forty foot per})endicular and for two miles above 
it, shelving ; which makes the stream so rapid that none 
dare come near it with a canoe. I doubt the masts will 
receive injury in the falling." 

In the report made to Queen Anne in 1709, by the Board 
of Trade, in regard to the settlement of a colony of Pala- 
tines (afterwards established near Little Falls) the country 
about the MoluiAvk is recommended as being eligible, and, it 
is added : 

" The objection that may be made to the seating of the 
Palatines on the fore mentioned Mohaques River is the Falls 
that ai-e on the said river between Schenectady and Albany 
which will be an interruption in the water carriage, but 
that may be easily heljjed by a short land carriage of about 
three miles at the west." 

It was decided on this account to locate the colony else- 



1711. History of Cohoes. 9 

where, as appears from a report of Perry, Keill and Du Pr6 
made to the London Board of Trade 11th Dec, 1711, in 
which it is stated that the country of the Maquaas was not 
selected "because their lands are distant from the rivei 
nearly twenty miles, and Schenectady besides a waterfall 
of six hundred feet high, hath the same inconveniency upon 
which account the carriage of anything would cost as much 
if not more than its worth." 

The obstruction afforded by the Falls to navigation is 
thus noticed in a repoit dated 1757, found in the Paris docu- 
ments : 

" Going from Chenectedi (Schenectady) to Orange (Al- 
bany) there is a Great Fall which prevents the passage of 
batteaux so that everything on the river going from Che- 
nectedi to Orange passes over the high road that leads there 
direct." 

In the JTemoirs of an American Lady by Mrs. Anne 
Grant, who was living in Albany between 1757 and 1768, 
appears the following on the same subject, with reference 
to the journeys of the traders from Albany into the Indian 
country : 

" There commenced their toils and dangers at the famous 
waterfall called the Cohoes, ten miles above Albany .... 
This was the Rubicon which they liad to pass before they 
plunged into pathless woods, ingulphing swamps and lakes, 
the opposite shores of which the eye could not reach. At 
the Cohoes, on account of the obstruction formed by the 
torrent, they unloaded their canoe, and carried it above a 
mile further on their shoulders, returning again for the 
cargo, which they were obliged to transport in the same 
manner." 

In 1760, the Falls were visited by Gov. Thos. Pownall, a 
man who held several positions of importance in this country, 
and was prominent among those Englishmen who at home 
a few years later, defended the action of the colonies in 
revolting from the crown. Among several interesting 
volumes which he published in regard to America was one 
2 



10 History of Cohoes. 1760. 

(London, IV 76), which contained a map of this country, 
and topographical descriptions of the parts he had visited. 
In this he describes at considerable length the appearance 
of the Falls, saying that he had seen tliem once before 
when the rocks were almost entirely bare, but at this time, 
June 25th, the volume of water was immense. After speak- 
ing of the grandeur and beauty of the sight he says : 

" In other parts, where it shoots over in a sheet of water, 
there is a peculiar circumstance which struck me, and which 
I will endeavor to explain ; there are every now and then 
violent explosions of air which burst through the surface 
of the torrent, and as I considered it attentively on the 
spot, I explained it as follows to myself : The air which 
is contained and j)ent in between the rock and the arch of 
the torrent must, by the violent motion of this torrent, be 
heated and rarefied, and if so will of course break out in 
explosions. The vapors which fly off from this Fall dis- 
perse themselves, and fall in heavy showers for near half a 
mile round the place. These Falls the Indians call by the 
expressive name Cohoes." 

Gov. Pownall made a sketch of the Falls at this time, 
which he took back to England, and there had it painted, 
engraved and published. One of the original prints, which 
are now extremely rare, is in the possession of Joseph Chad- 
wick, Esq., of this city, and is remarkably well preserved. 

The title of the picture is as follows : "A view of the 
great Cohoes Falls on the Mohawk River. The Fall about 
seventy feet, the river near a quarter of a mile broad. 
Sketched on the spot by his excellency Gov. Pownall, 
painted by Paul Sanby, and engraved by William Elliott, 
May, 1761." A steel engraving of this print, much smaller 
than the original, forms the frontispiece to this volume. 
Gov. Pownall mentions another sketch of the Falls, taken 
when the water was low, and published some years previous 
by an English traveler named Calm, which he says was an 
inferior production, and so poorly done as to give the Falls 
the general appearance of a mill-dam. 



1792. History of Cohoes. 11 

The interruption to navigation before spoken of, was the 
means of adding considerably to the business of Schenectady, 
as appears from the following taken from the papers of the 
Mass. Historical Coll.^ and dated 1792. "It (Schenectady) 
stands upon the Mohawk River about nine miles above the 
Falls called the Cohoes, but this I take to be the Indian 
name for falls ; its chief business is to receive the mer- 
chandize from Albany and put into batteaux, to go up 
the river and forward to Albany such produce of the 
back country as is sent to market." 

It will be observed that of the writers who have been 
quoted nearly all speak of the Falls in terms of the highest 
admiration. The Duke de la Rochefoucault Liancourt, an 
exile of the French revolution, who visited this place in 
1795, does not, however, appear to have been particularly 
impressed. Concerning the Falls (which he called Xohos^ 
and his translator corrected to Gohoez) he said: 

" But the river contains not at present sufficient water to 
support the Falls. In many places the rocks are quite dry ; 
but in others they afford a fine prospect. The perpendicu- 
lar height of the Falls may amount to about fifty feet, and 
the river is about an eighth of a mile in width. Bv^t upon 
the whole the view is not strikingly wild, romantic or 
pleasant, though the Falls are much celebrated throughout 
America." 

The following description of this neighborhood, from 
Travels in the United States and Canada, 1795-97, by 
Isaac Weld Jr., though giving no new observations in re- 
gard to the Falls, is worthy of notice as containing a i-efer- 
ence, one of the earliest on record, to the existence of a 
settlement here : 

" Early the next morning we set off and in about two 
hours arrived at the small village of Cohoz close to which 
is the remarkable Fall in the Mohawk River. * * The ap- 
pearance of this Fall varies very much according to the 
quantity of water; when the river is full the water descends 
in an unbroken sheet from one bank to the other whilst at 
other times the greater part of the rocks are left uncovered. 



12 History of Cohoes. 1800. 

The rocks are of a remarkable dark color and so also is the 
earth in the banks which rise to a great height on either 
side. There is a very pleasing view of this Cataract as you 
pass over the bridge across the river, about three-quarters 
of a mile lower down." 

A very inferior drawing of the Falls (referred to by Moore, 
see note below) was published by Mr. "Weld. 

In 1800, the Falls were visited by John Maude, an Eng- 
lishman, who writes in his journal as follows : 

" Cross the Mohawk, over the bridge at the foot of the 
Cohoes Falls, near which I breakfasted at Forth's tavern. ^ 
After breakfast I visited the celebrated cataract of the 
Cohoes, and strange to say, I was more pleased with it now 
that I had seen Niagara, than I was five years ago when I 
beheld it with disappointment." 

The visit of Thomas Moore to the Falls, during 1804, has 
become famous as suggesting the composition of the follow- 
ing poem, which is widely known and quoted. 

LINES. 
"WEITTEN AT THE COHOS, OR FALLS OF THE MOHAWK RIVER." " 
" Gia era in loco ove s'udia '1 rimbombo. 
Deil acqua . . . "— Dante. 

From rise of morn till set of sun 

I have seen the mighty Mohawk run, 

And as I marked the woods of pine 

Along his mirror darkly shine, 

Like tall and gloomy forms that pass 

Before the wizard's midnight glass : 

And as I viewed the hurrying pace 

With which he ran his turbid race, 

Eushiug, alike untir'd and wild, 

Through shades that frowned and flowers that smiled. 

Flying by every green recess 



» I have been unable to ascertain positively the locality of this tavern. There 
was an inn kept by a man named Ford, just this side of Gibbonsville (now West 
Troy), and on the north side of the river were settled several families of ^orte, one 
at Fort's Ferry, another at the Halve Maari. 

*" There is a dreary and savage character in the country immediately about these 
Falls, which is more in harmony with the wildness of such a scene, than the culti- 
vated lands in the neighborhood of Niagara. See the drawing of them in Mr. Weld's 
book. According to him the perpendicular height of the Coiios Falls is fifty feet, 
but the Marquis de Chastellux makes it seventy-six. The fine rainbow which is 
continually forming and dissolving as the spray rises with the light of the sun, is 
perhaps the most interesting beauty which these wonderful cataracts exhibit." 



1804. History of Cohoes. 13 

That woo'd him to its calm caress. 

Yet, sometimes turning with the wind, 

As if to leave one look behind I 

Oh! I have thought, and thinking sigh'd — 

How like to thee, thou restless tide ! 

May be the lot, the life of him, 

Who roams along thy water's brim ! 

Through what alternate shades of woe, 

And flowers of joy my path may go 1 

How many a humble, still retreat 

-May rise to court my weary feet. 

While still pursuing, still unblest, 

I wander on, nor dare to rest ! 

But urgent as the doom that calls 

Thy water to its destined falls, 

I see the world's bewildering force 

Hurry my heart's devoted course 

From lapse to lapse, till life be done, 

And the last current cease to run ! 

Oh, may my falls be bright as thine 1 

May heaven's forgiving rainbow shine 

Upon the mist that circles me. 

As soft, as now it hangs o'er thee ! 

It has been stated, but with what authority I cannot say, 
that the house occupied by Moore during his stay here, was 
afterward owned by G. M. Cropsey, and was standing until 
recently at Northside. In relation to this, the following, 
published in the Albany Evening Journal in 1859, will be 
of interest: " About the 5th of June, 1839, Moore received 
a letter from some person, a resident of the village of Cohoes, 
which so attracted his notice that he spoke of it to Daniel 
Webster, whom, on the 9th of June, he met at dinner. 
The point in the letter of interest now is that the writer 
claimed to have identified and visited the cottage occupied 
by Moore when at Cohoes, and the walk near the Falls fre- 
quented by him." In a letter from Moore to his mother, 
written from Saratoga, July 10th, 1804, is the following 
reference to his visit. 

" Two or three days ago I was to see the Coho Falls on 
the Mohawk River, and was truly gratified. The immense 
fall of the river over a natural dam of thirty or forty feet 
high, its roar among the rocks, and the illuminated mist of 



14 History of Cohoes. 1811. 

spray which rises from its foam, were to me objects all new, 
beautiful, and impressive. I never can forget the scenery 
of this country, and if it had but any endearing associations 
of the heai't (to diffuse that charm over it, without which 
the fairest features of nature are but faintly interesting), I 
should regret very keenly that I cannot renew often the 
enjoyment of its beauties. But it has none such for me, 
and I defy the barbarous natives to forge one chain of at- 
tachment for any heart, that has ever felt the sweets of 
delicacy, or refinement. I believe I must except the tvotnen 
from this denunciation ; they are certainly flowers of every 
climate and hei'e waste their sweetness most deplorably."' 

Among the latest descriptions of the Falls in which new 
points of interest are touched upon, is that of Timothy 
Dwight, president of Yale College, who was in the habit 
of making annual tours through this neighborhood. Wri- 
ting in 181 1, he said : " The river was low, but I was better 
pleased with the appearance of the cataract than at any 
time heretofore. The face of the precipice was sensibly 
worn since 1802, and presented more and bolder varieties 
to the view than at that time. A great deal of the precipice 
was naked." 

When, with the progress of the present century, the lines 
of travel in this country became extended, Niagara and 
other cataracts by their superior grandeur rendered the 
Cohoes Falls less an object of interest, and the number of 
tourists thither decreased. To visitors in this neighborhood 
of later years, other features of the place have seemed more 
important, and the Falls, once the sole attraction, have re- 
ceived but passing mention. 



• Memoirs, Journal and Correspondence of Thomas Moore, Edited by the Rt. Hon. 
Lord John Jtiussell, M.P., vol. i, London, 1853. 



1630. History of Cohoes. 15 



n. 

Cohoes as a Farming Hamlet. 

X. HE greater part of the land on which the city of Cohoes 
now stands was originally in the Manor of Rensselaerswyck, 
and was purchased from the Indians in 1630. A charter of 
privileges and exemptions had been granted in the preceding 
year, for the encouragement of patroons to settle colonies, 
and Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, a pearl merchant in Amster- 
dam, and a director of the Dutch West India Company, was 
one of those who availed themselves of its advantages. 

At different times during the next seven years the agents 
of this gentleman purchased for him tracts of land in this 
vicinity, until his domain extended twenty-four miles along 
the Hudson River, and twenty-four miles on each side of 
the river, east and west, embracing the land which now 
composes the counties of Albany, Rensselaer, and part of 
Columbia. The nortl^ern boundary of this manor was on 
the line of the Cohoes Falls, running along what was after- 
ward known as Gohoes Lane and still later as the Boght 
Road and Manor Avenue. The land north of this manor 
line, which is now within the city limits, was given by the 
Indians to Illetie or Hilletie (Alice), the wife of Pieter 
Danielse Van Olinde. She was the daughter of Cornells 
Antonissen Van Slyck, and was a half-breed, her mother 
being a Mohawk woman. She acted for many years as in- 
terpretess for the province, and as such was frequently 
mentioned in the journals of Dankers and Sluyter, before 
quoted. The Mohawk sachems gave her, in 1667, the Gi-eat 
Island at Niskayuna, and also land at Willow Flat, below 
Port Jackson and at the Boght, in Watervliet. ' 

The islands at the mouth of the Mohawk, which were in 



1 The land northwest of the city, which was settled at an early day by the Van 
Denberg and other families, was originally included in a patent granted to Peter 
endrickae De Haas in 1697. 



16 History of Cohoes. 1676. 

early years a favorite resort of the Indians — one of their 
strong holds, Moeniniines Castle, being situated on Haver 
Island — came into possession of Caj^t. Goosen Gerritse 
Van Schaick, brewer, of Albany. In 1664, he, together 
with Philip Pieterse Schuyler, was granted permission to 
purchase the Halve Maan from the Indians " to prevent 
those of Connecticut purchasing it." This grant, commonly 
known as the Van Schaick or Half-Moon patent, included 
the present village of Waterford, and part of Half -Moon. 
Its name is derived from the crescent shaj^e of the land 
lying between the Hudson and the Mohawk at that point. ^ 

Under the terms of the charter it became the duty of 
Mr, Van Rensselaer to encourage the settlement of the tract 
of which he was possessor, and in 1630, and succeeding 
years, numbers of colonists came over from Holland and 
were provided with good farms and comfortable homes in 
Fort Orange (Albany) and vicinity. The first settlers in 
the neighborhood of Cohoes belonged to or were descended 
from those families and were located on the Halve Maan, 
at Waterford, or on the Mohawk Flats near Niskayuna — 
then called Nestigione or Conistigione. 

Of the land which is now within the limits of the city, 
Cohoes Island, afterwards known as Van Schaick's and 
Adams' Island, appears to have been the part first placed 
under cultivation. This, together with Haver Island {Haver 
being the Dutch for oats), which adjoins it on the north, was 
occupied at an early day, and references to them in the 
old records are frequent. Capt. Van Schaick, the original 
owner, died about 1676, and some of his property was dis- 
posed of by his widow, as appears from the following and 
other deeds among the early records of Albany county: 

" Appeared before me Robert Livingston, secretary etc., 
and in presence of the after named witnesses, Annetie Lie- 

1 This tract, it will be seen, was of considerable size, and as many of the farmers 
living in this vicinity were described in the old records merely as living at the Halve 
Maan, it leads to some difficulty in preserving the identity of the difterent families. 
Waterford was taken off from the original township in 1816, and Clifton Park in 1828. 



1680. History of Cohoes. 17 

vens widow of Goose Gerritse Van Schaick deceased, of 
the one side, and Jan Jacobse Van Noortstrant of the other 
side, who declared that they had in amity and friendship 
made a bargain with each other for the sale of a piece of 
land lying to the north of the fourth branch or fork [/Spruyt] 
of the Mohawk River above the colony Rensselaerswyck, 
being a part of a parcel of land called the foreland of the 
Half Moon, and by the Indians Mathaheuaach, together 
with about two morgens of cleared land lying on the island 
which lies directly over against the aforesaid parcel of land, 
commonly called Haver [Oats] Island, . . . for which two 
parcels of land Jan Jacobse Van Noortstrant promises to 
deliver the sum of sixty and six whole beavers, ' to be paid 
in wheat, oats, or other grain, cattle, work, etc., at market 
prices. . . . Thus done in Albany the 26th of June, 1677, 
in presence of Mr. Gerrit Banker and Harme Rutgers as 
witnesses hereto invited." 

Van Schaick's Island, however, remained in possession of 
the family, who, though not residing there, appear to have 
rented it to different parties living in the vicinity. Thus, 
Guert Hendrickse Van Schoonhoven, spoken of as belong- 
ing at the Halve Maan in 1675, had a farm on the island 
in 1681, as did also Harmon Lieviense or Lie verse, while 
Roeloff Gerritse Van Der Werken was an occupant of it in 
1680. 

The first settlement on this side of the river was some- 
what later, though the exact date cannot be ascertained, 
and was made in the neighborhood of the Boght at the 
northwest of the city.- 



' A beaver akin was worth about eight guilders or $3.20 in our currency. 

' " Boght, het boght, is a locality situated within the town of VVatervliet. Spaf- 
ford, in his Gazetteer, says this word means a cove or bay. This is wrong. Tho 
Dutch Dictionary tells us the signification is a • bend or turn,' so this place. It was 
settled by branches of the Fort and Fonda families at a very early period ; we re- 
gret that we have not been able to ascertain the precise time. Explorintj and 
hunting parties from Albany for many years after its settlement made the Boght 
as well as Niskayuna and Schenectady places of frequent resort. Those Albanians 
too, dealt in contraband goods, and carried on a trade in furs with the Mohawks 
at Schenectady contrary to the ordinaufe of the common council of Albany, and 
passed through this place and Niskayuna on their way to Schenectady to avoid 
suspicion. "— Prof. PearBon. 

3 



18 History of Cohoes. 1767. 

During the first half of the eighteenth century the land 
adjoining the river which now forms the principal part of 
the city, and a tract near its western boundaries, about a 
mile from the river, was settled by several families of Lan- 
sings, and the families of Heamstreet (Heemstraat or Von 
Heemstraaten), Ouderkirk, Liverse (Lieverse or Lievense), 
Fonda and Clute ; of whom the Lansings appear to have 
come from Albany, and the others from Niskayuna or the 
Half Moon. 

The date at which that part of the land which was within 
the manor was first occupied cannot be definitely ascertained* 
for as it was under the jurisdiction of the patroon, no public 
record was made of leases or conveyances to fai*mers. 
Deeds are in existence, however, of the lands north of the 
manor line which belonged to the Van Olinde family, show- 
ing the dates at which they wei*e sold to other parties, and 
it is probable that all the families above named settled here 
about the same time. Among the earliest of these transfers 
was one of a woodland lot of over one hundred acres situated 
just north of the manor line which was sold by Daniel Van 
Olinde, eldest son of Pieter and Illetie Van Olinde, to 
Walran Glut or Clute. 

The following is an abstract of the deed : 

" This Indenture, made and Concluded on the four and 
Twentieth day of November in the Seventh Yeare of The 
Reign of our Sovereing Lord George. By the Grace of 
God of Great Britain franc and Ireland King defender of 
The faith, etc., and In the year of our Lord, one Thousand 
Seven hundred and Twenty by and Between Daniel Van 
Olinde of the County of Albany in the province of New Yorke 
Yeoman of the one part, and Walran Clut of the same 
county of the other part Witnesseth That He The Said 
Daniell Van Olinde, for and In consideration of fourty Two 
pounds of currant Lawfull money of New Yorke to him In 
hand paid Before the Ensealing and Delivery of This pre- 
sents the Receipt Whereof he The Said Daniel Van Olinde 



1767. History of Cohoes. 19 

Doth hereby acknowledge and him Self therewith full 
Satisiied and Contented and Thereof and of every part and 
parcell Thereof Doth fully and absolutely Exonerate and 
Discharge The Said Walran Glut his heirs executors 
administrators and assigns By These presents hath Granted 
Released and Gonfirmed . . Bargained and sold . . . 
and doth hereby sell unto the Said Walran Glute his heirs 
and assigns for Ever All That Gertain Tract or Pacall of 
Wood Land Scituate Lying and Being within the county 
off Albany aforesaid on The South Side of The Mohaks or 
Schaneghtendy River between Gahoos and Ganastojoind 
[Gonistigione or Niskayuna] is Bounded, etc. One The 
East End Thereof by the Great fall caled the Gahoos afore- 
said and on the West Running along The Line of the 
manner of Renselaers Wick Till you come by a Kill which 
is called the boglits' Kly Kuyll or Kly Kill by the land of 
one Hendrik Rider which land is also (illegible) * * 
transported by the aforesaid Danell Van Olinde Into him 
The Said Hendrik Rider, and so along that Said Land Till 
you come again upon The Aforesaid Kly Kill and Then 
along Tlie Said Kill Till you come To The River aforesaid 
and So along The Said River To The Gahoos where first 
begon — provided alwais and for Ever hereafter that he 
The said Walran Glut and his heirs and assigns Shall Leave 
one wagon road along the river for The Use of The Neigh- 
bourhood, It is further agreed by 

and between the Said Daniel Van Olinde and Walran Glut 
for theire Self and there heirs for ever that he the Said 
Glute has free Liberty to build one or more Saw Mills or 
Grind Mills and To Ly Dams provided that in Gase The 
aforesaid Walran Glute his heirs or assigns Shall come to 
buld a Saw mill and Saw Loggs out of the right of him 
the said Daniel his heirs and assigns that Then and In such 
case he the said Walran Glute his heirs and assigns shall 
pay to him the said Daniel his heirs and assigns ten Boards 
yearly and Every year forever, and In case a Grind Mill 
That Then and In such case he the said Walran Glut and 
his heirs and assigns shall forever grind for Daniel Van 
Olinde and his heirs and assigns, for one famaly that Shall 
Life upon the Land where the said Daniel nowLifes on , . . 

In Witness Whereof The parties To These presents 



20 History of Cohoes. 1767. 

Indenture have Interchangeabley pnt their hands and Seald 
The Day and Year first above writting 

c J a ^J 1 -r, ^• ;] DaNTEL VaN OlINDE [l. 8,1 

bigned beald and Dehvered *- ^ 

In the presence of 

Mynders Schuyler Justice 
John De Peyster 
Evert Wendell. 

The farm directly north of this, embracing about two 
hundred acres, was sold by Daniel Van Olinde to Gerret 
Lansing in May, 1740. The dates of these transfers and 
other facts in regard to the matter which are accessible, 
afford fair evidence that the first general settlement of the 
place was made between 1725 and 1750. 

It is almost impossible to obtain in detail an accurate ac- 
count of the early inhabitants ; in most cases there is 
nothing to show the date at which their farms were cleared 
or their houses built, and with one or two exceptions but 
few facts can be given in regard to their family history. 
Under these circumstances the history of Cohoes, while it 
was but a farming community, must necessarily be incom- 
plete. From records in existence, however, it is possible 
to identify the different farm houses, some of which still 
remain, and to give the boundaries of the jsrincipal farms as 
they were held by the original settlers. 

In a map of the manor of Rensselaerswyck made for the 
patroon by John R. Bleeker, surveyor, in 1767, the follow- 
ing houses appear on the land now included within the city 
limits, most of them near the river, and the main road, now 
Saratoga street: 

Henry Lansing' s^ opposite the upper end of Green Island. 
This hoiise, situated a short distance below the Old Junc- 
tion near the canal, is now occupied by Lucius Alexander, 
It has been altered and enlarged from time to time, and 
the original building is still in good condition.^ 



1 The property of Henry or Hendrik Lansing was afterwards sold to Jacob H. 
Lansing who occupied the farm-house for many years. William Lansing, his son, 
occupied the house on the opposite side of the road, and it is said, kept a tavern 



1767. History of Cohoes. 21 

Lansing^s, on the opposite (west) side of the road from 
the above and a little to the south. This house is said to 
have been burned, but at what date is not known, 

Cornelis OuclerkerTx? s^ opposite the lower end of Van 
Schaick's Island. This house was last occupied by a family- 
named Conaughty, after having been for some years occu- 
pied as a tavern. It stood on the west bank of the Cham- 
plain Canal, a short distance below Tighes' brewery near 
Newark street, and was torn down in 1865, 

Derek Heamstreefs,'- a few rods north of Ouderkerk's. 
Part of this building, located between the canal and the 
river, directly east of the brewery, still remains, and is now 
in possession of John P, Weber. It was partially destroyed 
by fire, Dec. 2, 1868, The lower part of the building re- 
mains the same as before, but the Dutch gable roof was 
burned, and replaced by the flat roof now seen. This, like 
all the other old farm houses in the neighborhood, was built 
to last, and none of its material was light or flimsy. The 
old barn, which stood near the house, was a most massive 
structure. It was built throughout of the heaviest and best 
selected timber ; the flooring was of five inch plank hewn 
by hand, and the roof was covered with four feet cedar 
shingles, secured by wrought nails. The building was pur- 
chased some years since by George E, Simmons, and when 
it was torn down enough material was found in it to serve 
for the construction of two barns of modern style. 

there in the early part of the present century. Descendants of the family, among 
them Abraham P. Lansing of this city, and Dow F. Lansing of Albany, are yet 
living. 

1 The Ouderkerk family do not appear to have long resided here, and in accounts 
which are found in old records they arc mentioned as being from the Half Moon. 
Several marriages between this family and the Fondas are recorded in the middle 
of the last century, which may account for the fact that the farm afterwards came 
into possession of the Fonda family. The house was occupied in 1815, by Harmon 
Fonda, who owned the farm together with his brother Dow I. Fonda. Their de- 
Bcendants still live in this vicinity, some of them in Watervliet. 

^ Dei eli Heamstreet was succeeded by Oharles Heamstreet, who became one of the 
principal farmers in the neighborhood. He had five sons : Richard, Albert, John, 



22 History of Cohoes. 1767. 

John Lmising'' s^^ on the west side of the highway, a short 
distance sonth of the manor line. This was destroyed a 
number of years ago, and the house at present occupied by 
Egbert W. Lansing erected nearly on its site. 

Frederick Gluteus.- Outside of the manor, and a few rods 
north of the Lansing house, on the brow of the hill. This 
was a log house. A frame house was afterwards built by 
Gerret Clute, son of the above, on the bank of the river, a 
short distance above the Falls, where traces of it are still 
discernible. It was destroyed during the progress of the 
Cohoes Company's improvements in 1832 or thereabouts. 

Frans Lansing's, Doiv FondcCs and VTm. Liverse's. 
These were located at different points some distance west 
of the river, and nearly on the line of the present western 
boundary of the city. 

~Van SchaicJc's House,-'' on Van Schaick Island. This 

Jacob and Philip. Richard occupied the farm known as the Gerret Witbeck 
farm; and John built the small yellow house yet staiiding on Saratoga street, 
opposite the brewery. Richard had four sons: Garret, Charles, William and 
Stephen, of whom one (Charles) is now living in Clifton Park. Albert had four 
eons : Charles, Henry, Jacob and Abraham. The name is given above as it appears 
on the patroon's books. It is now spelled Hemstreet. 

1 John (or Johannes) J. Lansing was born in 1719, and died in 1813. He had ten 
children, one of whom, Andrew (born 1760, died 1835), succeeded him in possession 
of the farm. Andrew had four sons : John, Jacob, Evert and Abram, the latter of 
whom (born 1790, died 1867), was a well known citizen. Two of his sons, Egbert 
W., and John V. S. Lansing, are now living in Cohoes, the former occupying the 
old farm. 

2 Frederick Clute was the son of Walraven or Waldron Clutc, who bought the 
farm from Daniel Van Olinda. His grandfather, also named Frederick Clute, came 
from Kingston about 1703, and settled at Niskayuna, where be bought land of 
Johannes Clute. 

Frederick the younger was born 1724, and married .Maria De Ridder, Nov., 1754. 
His oldest son, Gerret Clute, was born Feb. 29, 1761, and occupied the farm until the 
early part of the present century. Gerret Clute had ten children, as follows : Maria, 
wife of Richard Hemstreet, Getty, wife of John Hemstreet, Anna, wife of James 
Ostrander, William, Kate, Matthew, Rachel, Henrietta, wife of John Johnson, 

Charles, and . The oldest sou William, was the father of ex-Justice Harvey 

Clute now of this city. 

3 Sybrant, the second son, of Capt. Goosen Gerritse Van Schaick, was born 1653, 
and died about 1685. He had four children, of whom the third, Anthony, was born 
in 1681, and lived in Albany, being by trade a glazier. His second son, Wessel, was 



i ? YX 111 irh'u%«MNvn > 










,'Tr/ 



24 History op Cohoes. 1767. 

house, which is the best preserved of the old buildings now 
in the city, was erected in 1762, and has since been altered 
but little. The only change in the front of the house is a 
new porch which was built by Mr. Adams a year or two 
ago. The old windows, with their heavy sashes and dimin- 
utive panes, and the old fashioned divided door with its 
massive brass knocker and ponderous iron bar still remain. 
The bricks of which the house was built were made on the 
island, with the exception of a few of peculiar curved 
shape, which form a sort of ridge or coping extending around 
the body of the house about four feet from the ground — 
those having been brought from Holland. The wooden 
house now standing a few rods south of the old mansion 
was built certainly over a century ago, and perhaps before 
the brick building. 

The homestead of Gerret Lansing, ' on the farm just north 
of Frederick Clute's, though not marked on this map, was 
in existence at the time. It was located near the site of the 
red brick house (built by Rutger Lansing, son of Gerret, in 
1790), which yet stands near the Cohoes Company's dam. 

The boundaries between the different farms do not appear 
to have been definitely fixed by the patroon, nor were leases 
for them regularly drawn until towards the close of the last 
century. This may be accounted for on the ground that as 
the Van Rensselaers were desirous of encouraging the set- 
tlement of their domain, no rents were at first exacted, and 
owing to the vast extent of the manor, farmers were allowed 
to settle in different parts of it and occupy the laud for 
many years before arrangements were made for the regular 
collection of tithes. 

The maps of the original farms in this neighborhood, as 



born in 1712. He had five children. His second son, John Gerritse, was born Oct. 
23, 1748. In 1805, he had a house and store on the west side of Broadway, Albany 
He died on Van Schaick's Island, July 7, 1828. His youngest sou, Henry, died at 
Lansingburgh, Oct. 7, 1829, aged 33 years. The last member of the Van Schaicks to 
occupy the island was the first husband of Mrs. Wm. L. Adams. 

1 Gerret Rutger Lansing was the son of Rutger. After his death the farm came 
itno the possession of his son, Isaac D. P. Lansing, born 1790, died Nov. 12, 1874. 



1774. History of Cohoes. 25 

surveyed under direction of the patroon, are preserved in 
the Van Rensselaer office. A map showing the relation of 
the farm boundaries to the streets, as at present laid out, 
would be of interest, but the preparation of one which would 
be suitable for publication with this sketch has not seemed 
feasible. The following description of the outlines of the 
principal farms, with references to streets and localities 
which are now familiar, giving the names of their occupants 
as recorded in the patroon's books, and a sketch of the sub- 
sequent disposition of the property, will, it is hoped, be 
sufficient to give a general idea of the way in which the 
land was divided. 

Commencing at the lower part of the settlement, the first 
farm was one which formed part of the tract disposed of 
by the patroon to Col. Schuyler, and was known in later 
years as the Jacob H. Lansing farm. It extended on 
the south to a line which is now the southern limit of the 
city (near Cedar Grove) and had for part of its boundary 
the Sotdt Kill (Salt Brook). Its northern limit was a line 
running nearly parallel with the brook which flows east- 
ward through the ravine south of the residence of Samuel 
Bilbroiigh on Main street, and is carried under Saratoga 
street a short distance below its junction with Main street. 
This land, the fai'm house on which, occupied by Henry 
Lansing, has been before mentioned, had been sold by Kil- 
lian Van Rensselaer to Col. Philip Schuyler, May 10, 1708, 
and was held by him until 1731, when it was sold to Hen- 
drick Lansing. On January loth, 1774, "the fourteenth 
year of the reign of our sovereign King George the Third" 
it was sold by " Hendrick Lansing, mason or bricklayer of 
the Boght, county of Albany and province of New York 
unto Jacob H. Lansing, yeoman, for the consideration of 
four hundred pounds, lawful money." In his possession it 
remained until 1822, when it was sold to R. P. Hart, and 
has been since disposed of in lots to various parties, though 
Bome yet remains in the hands of the Hart estate. 
4 



26 History of Cohoes. 1794. 

Next was the Jacob D. Fonda farm, bounded on the south 
by the Lansing farm above described and having for its 
northern limit a line which commenced at the river and ran 
northwest, passing the south end of the brewery (on Sara- 
toga street below Newark) reaching Columbia street near 
where it is crossed by the Central rail road and extending 
along the old line of that street to a point near the cemetery. 
The house on this farm was that which was occupied 
by Cornells Ouderkirk in 1767. The land, comjmsing 
136i acres, was leased to Jacob D. Fonda, Dec. 16th, 1794, 
for the consideration of " fifteen bushels wheat, four hens 
and one day's service." 

Early in the present century it was bought by Abraham 
G, Lansing, who built about 1820, as a country residence, 
the house afterwards occupied by Wm, N, Chadwick and 
at present by Samuel Bilbrough. A large part of the farm 
afterward came into possession of Messrs. Bayard Clark and 
Wm. N. Chadwick, by whom it was sold to Gould & Tracy, 
who disposed of it to various parties. A number of lots in 
the western part of the city, beyond the Central rail road, 
have remained until within a few years in possession of the 
Lansing heirs. 

Above the Fonda farm was that of Charles Heamstreet, 
the northern boundary of which was very irregular. A 
portion of it ran nearly parallel mth White street as at 
present laid out ; commencing at a jjoint on MohaAvk street 
in rear of the school house now built on the corner of White 
and Mohawk streets, it ran westward until it reached Sargent 
street, nearthe site of Bogue's block. This was the boundary 
of the middle portion of the farm. On both sides, however, 
it extended much further to the north. On the right, com- 
mencing at White street, the line ran up Mohawk street 
almost to Oneida, when it turned to the northeast, strik- 
ing the river a few rods west of the present rail road bridge. 

1 These farms were granted from the patroon on perpetual leases. 



1794, History of Cohoes. 27 

On the other (western side) the line, commencing at Sargent 
street, ran north until it reached a point near Lock 14, and 
then ran west about to the location of the bridge over the 
Central rail road, at Johnston avenue. This farm, which 
originally comprised 205 ? acres, was leased to Charles 
Heamstreet, April 15, 1793, for the annual rent of "twenty- 
seven bushels of wheat, four fat fowls and a day's service 
with carriage and horses." 

It was sold in part in 1822, for |8,500 to R. P. Hart, with 
whom Ebenezer Wiswall, Philip Schuyler and Jno. P. 
Cushman afterward held a joint interest, and by them was 
disposed of to various parties. One section, embracing the 
land near White street, was for some time in possession of 
Hugh White. 

North of the Heamstreet farm was one comprising seventy- 
three acres which was leased in January, 1794, to Gerrit 
Witbeck, concerning whose residence nothing has been 
ascertained. The annual rental was "three bushels and 
three pecks of wheat, four fat fowls, and one day's service 
with carriage and horses." The boundary of this farm ran 
about northeast along by the present Erie Canal, until it 
reached a point near Harmony Mill No. 2, when it turned 
to the east and followed the Diepe gat, or Diepe-gat 
Kil, 1 which emj^tied into the river a short distance below 
Harmony Mill No. 3. The lease of this farm was assigned 
to Lucas G. Witbeck, in 1801. It soon afterward came 
into the possession of the Heamstreet family and was 
assigned to Derek Heamstreet, in 1802. The farm was 
occupied for a number of years by Richard Heamstreet, 
whose house was situated on Mohawk street between 
Oneida and Factory streets, on the site now occupied by 

» This Diepe gat or deep cut which has since been so completely filled in and 
covered that nil traces of it have been obliterated, was a rocky gorge, so dark and 
gloomy that it was the terror of the children of the neighborhood. The brook 
which flowed through it was called by them SjMok kit and the bridge which 
crossed it became known among the farmers as the Spook's bridge. 



28 History of Cohoes. 1813. 

the south part of Witbeck's block. ' It was sold by the 
sheriff to Ebenezer Wiswall, Oct. 2, 1819, and was pur- 
chased from him by Canvass White, March 17, 1824, from 
whose hands it passed into the possession of the Cohoes 
Company. 

The next farm was that of Andrew Lansing, comprising 
211 acres, which was leased to him March 24th, 1813, at 
an annual rent of eighteen bushels of wheat, with the usual 
consideration of fowls and service. It was bounded on the 
north by the manor line, or present Boght road, and on 
the south by the lines of the Witbeck and Heamstreet 
farms. A large portion of this farm, comprising much of 
the land now occupied by the Harmony Company, was sold 
to the Cohoes Company by Mr. Lansing in 1831 ; and other 
parts of it are still in possession of the family The eastern 
boundary of this farm was the old road, which ran nearly 
the same as the present Mohawk street. The strip between 
the road and the river, extending from the Diepe gat to 
the Falls, remained in possession of the patroou, until it 
was sold to the Cohoes Company in 1836.- 

The eastern limits of these five farms, with the exception 
in the case of Andrew Lansing's just mentioned, was the 
river. Their western boundaries were irregular and as they 
extended in most cases beyond the limits which now mark 
the thickly settled portions of the city, need not be particu- 
larly described. Taking the Gerret Witbeck lot as part of 
the Heamstreet farm (as it was in effect for many years), it 
may be said that all the farms extended at least as far west 
as the present Cohoes Cemetery, while those of Andrew 



1 This building was destroyed by iire February 13, 1858, having been for some 
time unoccupied. 

''■ It is said that this strip was offered, in the early part of the century, to Evert 
Lansing, and his brother, if they would pay the back rent upon it, but as they de- 
clined to do so it was kept by the Van Rensselaers and on the formation of the 
Cohoes Company, was transferred by Stephen Van Kensselaur, as part payment for 
Ms stock. 



1740. History of Cohoes. 29 

Lansing and Jacob Fonda were still deeper. The farms 
lying to the west of those above described, were, according 
to the patroon's maps, as follows : West of Andi'ew Lan- 
sing were the farms of Peter and Henry Fero, and Peter 
Lieverse ; west of Charles Heamstreet and Jacob D. Fonda 
was the farm of Douw A. Fonda ; and west of Jacob H. 
Lansing was a farm occupied at different times by branches 
of the Lansing and Fonda families. The Lieverse and Fonda 
farm houses have been before mentioned. 

But little is to be said concerning the lands outside of the 
manor, which are now within the city limits, as they have 
been occupied as farm lands until within a few years. The 
Clute farm, lately known as Mrs. Miller's, situated just above 
the manor line and extending on the west to the present 
Erie Canal, remained for the greater part in possession of 
the family until some years ago. A portion of it in the 
southwest corner was, however, leased to the Van Der 
Mark family early in the present century, and other parts 
near the river were afterward sold to the Cohoes Company. 

Kearly all of the Lansing farm, just north of Clute's, still 
remains the property of the heirs of I. D. F. Lansing, although 
part has been sold to the Cohoes Company. 

Van Schaick's Island, comprising about 320 acres, re- 
mained the property of the family until it came into the 
possession of Wm. L. Adams, the present owner, about forty 
years since. 

These farms of course furnished the principal employment 
of their occupants, but some of the inhabitants were also 
engaged, in a small way, in other business. The Lansing 
family, as early as 1740, were the owners of a saw mill, 
located a short distance north of the present site of the 
Cohoes Straw Board Mill, near the Cohoes Company's 
dam. A grist mill was afterwards built, just south of the 
saw mill, and the two establishments were run in jjartner 
ship by Gerret and Rutger Lansing for many years. On 



30 History of Cohoes. 1794. 

the Clute farm a grist mill was also erected, wliicli was 
located a short distance above the Falls. The establishment 
of a mill of some sort, evidently contemplated when the 
deed of the farm was drawn, may have transpired soon after 
the sale, but there is no record of its existence until the 
time of Gerret Clute, who remained for some time the 
proprietor. Another grist mill, which was afterwards 
converted into a carding mill, was located on the Heam- 
street farm, on the flats just opposite Simmons's Island. 
It was originally conducted by Charles Heamstreet and 
afterwards by his son Albert, i The power for each of these 
mills was furnished by means of a wing dam extending some 
yards into the river, that of the Heamstreet mill being built 
out to a large rock in the channel which is still a prominent 
feature of that locality. 

It will be seen that the early inhabitants of Cohoes were 
in comfortable circumstances. All were possessed of large 
and productive farms on which substantial and comfortable 
houses had been erected, and some in addition had their 
mills, which were probably well patronized by their neighbors 
of the Boght and other parts of Watervliet. 

They were fair types of the thrifty and prosperous Dutch 
farmers who were the early settlers of this portion of the 
state, and the features of their social life were similar to 
those which existed throughout this neighborhood and have 
been often described. Among the customs which prevailed 
here as in other Dutch settlements was slave-holding, 
and from the extent of the negro burial places of which 
traces remain on the Heamstreet, Lansing and other farms, 
it is evident that each family possessed quite a number. 

The following document from among the papers of the 
Clute family will be of interest in this connection : 

" Know all men by these presents that I, Isaac J. Fonda 

1 The lease of the mill privilege was granted by the patroon to Charles Heam- 
street Dec. 22, 1794, at an annual rental ol $12.50. 



1793. History of Cohoes. 31 

of the Bought in the town of Watervleet County of Albany 
and State of New York for and in consideration of the sum 
of twenty pounds of lawful Money of the State afore- 
mentioned to me in hand paid by Gerret Clute of said place 
County and state above mentioned at or before the sealing 
and delivery of these presents the Receipt Whereof I the 
said Isaac J. Fonda do hereby acknowledge have granted 
bargained and sold and by these presents do grant bargain 
and sell unto the said Gerret Clute his Executors, Adminis- 
trators and Asigns a Negro Boy Named Ben or Benjamin 
to have and to hold the said Negro Boy to the said Gerret 
Clute His executors administrators forever and I the said 
Isaac J. Fonda for myself my heirs executors and 
Administrators and Assigns against the said Isaac J. Fonda, 
my Heirs Executors and Administrators and against all 
and every other person and persons whatsoever shall and 
will warrant and forever defend by these presents the said 
Negro I the said Isaac J. Fonda have put the said Gerret 
Clute in full possession of at the sealing and delivery of 
these presents. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my 
hand and seal this day of June in the year of Our Lord 
one thousand seven hundred and ninety- three. 

" N. B. The date of the month and the word thi-ee at the 
bottom or in the last line of the presents were interlined 
and altered before the sealing and delivery of the said 
presents. 

" Present at the sealing and delivery Bought June Re- 
ceived of Mr. Gerrit Clute twenty pounds, In full for a 
Negro bought by the said Gerrit Clute, received by me." ' 

It is probable that until the revolution there was but 
little interruption to the quiet monotony of the life in this 
farming hamlet. The neighboring settlements being diffi- 
cult of access, communication with them was limited to 
market days, and the inhabitants, busied from day to day 
with the duties of their farms or mills, were little affected 
by the course of events in the outside world. With the 
outbreak of war, however, this peaceful routine was dis- 
turbed. A number of men from this vicinity joined the 



1 The number of slaves in Watervlict, in 1810, was 128. All slaves in the state 
were emancipated in 1827. 



32 History of Cohoes. 1784. 

companies which were raised in adjoining towns,' and this, 
together with the proximity of the phice to the scene of 
many of the important events of the war, must have 
caused the inhabitants to regard the progress of the struggle 
with the deepest interest. The main road to the north, on 
this side of the river, passed over the islands at the mouth of 
the Mohawk, since the sprouts could be forded more easily 
than the main stream, and traces of it still remain on Adams's 
Island. Over this road many of the troops marched during 
the campaigns in this vicinity. The islands were occupied 
from July to October, 1777, by a force of from 4,000 to 
6,000 men, stationed there by Gen. Gates, after the retreat 
of his army from the neighborhood of Lake Champlain. 
The men remained there during the operations near Saratoga 
and Stillwater, for the purpose of covering the rear of the 
American army and securing a position to fall back upon 
in case Burgoyne should compel a reti'eat. It is said that 
the Van Schaick house was used for the headquarters of 
the officers during the occupation. Fortifications were 
erected on Haver Island, remains of which are still visible. 
In 1784, the first church in the vicinity was established. 
The Reformed Dutch church of the Boght, said to have 
been the first north of Albany, was organized by the 
Classis of Albany, on the petition of forty-two members of 
the Dutch church of that city, presented February 22. The 
original church building, which stood on the road running 
north and south at the present western limits of the city, 
was doubtless erected some time before the organization of 
the church. The first elders were David Fero and Isaac 
Fonda, and the first deacons were Abraham D. Fonda and 
Gerret I. Lansing, The first pastor called was the Rev. 
John Demarest who began his ministry in 1790, taking 
charge of the Boght church in connection with that at Nis- 

1 Among them were Geri-et Clute, and members of the Lansing and Fonda fami- 
lies, but no complete list of their names can be obtained. 



1795. History of Cohoes. 33 

kayima. He preached in Dutch, and all the records of the 
church during his ministry were kept in that language. The 
membership of the church in 1791 was 121. Rutger Lan- 
sing became one of the deacons in 1789, and Gerret R. 
Lansing was a deacon in 1794. This church was for many 
years the only one attended by the inhabitants of Cohoes, 
and had an important part in the early history of the place. ^ 
In 1795 the first bridge across the Mohawk at Cohoes 
was erected. The increase in the number of inhabitants in 
the Half Moon and this vicinity had made the necessity of 
a bridge at this point for some time apparent, and as early 
as January, 1771, the following resolution in regard to it 
was passed by the common council of Albany : 



1 The following sketch of its history since ISOO, which, together with the above 
facts, has been kindly furnished by the piesent pastor, will be of interest. 

Mr. Demarest closed his ministry in 1803. 

In 1805, the Rev. Dr. J. Bassett was called who remained until 1811. 

In the beginning of his ministry a subscription was circulated for the purchase 
and erection of a stove in thu church. The stove was placed upon an elevated 
platform in order that it might heat the church more effectually. In the ministry 
of Dr. Bassett the services and the church records began to be in the English lan- 
guage. 

In 1807, a new church building was erected. 

Rev. Robert Bronk became pastor in 1S14. He ministered also to the church of 
Washington and Gibbonsville, now the South Reformed church of West Troy. Mr. 
Bronk resigned his charges in 1823. 

In 1824, Rev. John B. Steele, of Waterford, became pastor and continued until 
1833. 

Rev. Cornelius Bogardus was pastor from 1833 to 1888. 

Rev. William Pitcher became pastor in 1840. During his ministry, it was pro- 
posed to build a new church, and after much discussion with reference to the site, 
the present church was erected on the parsonage ground in 1847. At this time 
twenty-two members left the church and were organized as the Church of Rensse- 
laer, and another church edifice was built at Van Vranken's Corners. 

Mr. Pitcher left in 1854, and Rev. John Dubois was called \\ ho remained until 
1859. Rev. John W. Major was pastor from 1860 to 1864. 

In 1864, the church of the Boght united with the church of Rensselaer and called 
Rev. H. A. Raymond as pastor. He remained until 1871. 

The present pastor. Rev. George I. Taylor, began his ministry Jan . 1st, 1874. The 
present members of consistory are, Elders ; Gerardus Clute, Douw Lansing, Jacob 
Van Denberg. Deacons: Jesse Fonda, Benjamin Reamer, Wm. Lambert. 

5 



34 History of Cohoes. 1795. 

" Resolved, That it is the unanimous opinion of this Board 
that it is practicable to be done, and that considering the 
inconveniences the inhabitants and travelers are under at 
certain seasons of the year, we conceive that it will be of 
great use to have a bridge about that place and well worthy 
the Legislaters consideration. Ordered, that the Clerk of 
this Board enclose a Copy of this Resolution in a letter to 
the Members for the County of Albany. We the Mayor, 
Aldermen and Comonalty of the city of Albany do certify 
and declare that we conceive that the erecting of a Bridge 
below the Cahos will greatly tend for the benefit and con- 
veniency of the publick & will in particular encourage the 
Settlements to the Northward of the said Bridge." 

The bridge was first opened for travel July 24, 1795. It 
was 900 feet long, twenty-four feet wide, fifteen feet above 
the bed of the river and rested on thirteen stone piers. Its cost 
was $12,000. It was located several hundred feet west of the 
site of the rail road bridge, the Cohoes end being a short dis- 
tance north of the present termination of Remsen street. 
An excavation in the rock, yet visible, marks the place 
where it rested upon the Waterford side. The gate house, 
which was on this side of the river, was for many years 
tended by Jacob Winnie, a blacksmith. The bridge was 
one of the best then existing in this part of the country, 
and was frequently mentioned in books of travel. 

In the writings of the Count Rochefoucauld Liancourt, 
from which a quotation has previously been made, it was 
described as follows : 

" This bridge is erected on the sj^ot where the Cohoez 
Falls appear to the greatest advantage. It is constructed 
of timber and rests on stone pillars about twenty-five or 
thirty feet distant from each other. The masonry is not 
remarkable for solidity or neatness ; but the carpenter's 
work is exceedingly well done." 

An act in regard to the bridge was passed by the legis- 
lature, April 3, 1797, in which the rates of toll were fixed 
as follows : 

" To make adequate provision for keeping the bridge in 



1798. History of Cohoes. 35 

good repair, it is enacted: That from and after the first 
day of June next, the following toll shall be collected from 
every person crossing said bridge, viz : For every carriage 
crossing the said bridge and drawn by a single horse, six 
cents ; for every wheel carriage or sled crossing said bridge 
and drawn by two horses, mules, or other working cattle, 
the sum of eight cents ; for every carriage or sled drawn by 
more than two horses, two mules, or two other working 
cattle, at and after the rate of two cents for each additional 
creature ; for a man and horse or mule the sum of four 
cents ; for every single horse, mare, colt or mule the sum 
of one cent ; for every bull, ox, cow, heifer or calf, the sum 
of two cents, and for sheep and hogs, at and after the rate 
of ten cents per score." 

The toll house and gates were to be erected and the col- 
lector of tolls to be appointed by " the supervisor of the 
town of Watervliet, and the supervisor of the town of 
Half Moon," who were also directed to apply the surplus 
money " to the clearing away and removing the rock at the 
northeast corner of the said bridge, and in repairing and 
amending the highways in the said counties of Albany and 
Saratoga, leading to and from the said bridge." 

This act was amended by the passage of an act March 
30, 1798, which appointed John Hazard of the town of 
Half Moon and Peter S. Schuyler of the town of Watervliet, 
as commissioners " with full power yearly and every year 
hereafter, on the first Tuesday in May to sell at public ven- 
due the toll of the bridge together with the toll house be- 
longing to the same for the term of one year then next 
ensuing." By this act, also, a penalty was established of $15, 
to be imposed upon any one who should break open the toll 
gates, and it was declared unlawful for any one to keep a 
tavern or inn at the toll house. 

On petition of Matthew Gregory and Gradus Van Schoon- 
hoven, then lessees of the bridge, who set forth that as it 
had been much injured by ice and water, the tolls were in- 
Buificient to pay for the necessary repairs, the legislature, in 
an act passed April 4, 1801, authorized the commissioners 



36 History of Cohoes. 1806. 

to increase the rates of toll to the requisite figure, with the 
restriction that the increase should not be over 33j per 
cent, or be continued more than four years. 

The Cohoes Bridge Company, consisting of Samuel 
Stewart, Ira Scott, John I. Close, Guert Van Schoonhoven, 
Moses Scott, Henry Davis and Samuel Demarest, was in- 
corporated April 4, 1806, "for the purpose of rebuilding 
the state bridge over the Mohawk River," it having been 
severely damaged by the ice. The stock of the company was 
limited to three hundred shares of twenty-five dollars each. 
New rates of toll were fixed, considerably higher than those 
of 1797. 

The completion of the bridge was of course followed by 
some little change in the life of the inhabitants. A means 
of communication was furnished to parts of the adjoining 
country which had previously been difticult of access, and 
as the amount of travel by the new route was considerable, 
the hamlet doubtless assumed a slight appearance of activity. 
The road, beside being generally used by the farmers in the 
vicinity, became one of the main routes to the north, and in 
later years was traversed by the stage coaches running from 
Albany to Ballston Spa and other points. A tavern was 
established in the house on the farm before described as 
Gerret Witbeck's, Richard Heamstreet being proprietor. 



1811. History of Cohoes- 37 



m. 

From the Incorporation of the Cohoes Makupactur- 

ING COMPAKY, 1811, to THE COMMENCEMENT OF OPERA- 
TIONS BY THE Cohoes Company, 1830. 

X HITS far in the history of Cohoes, there had been no 
indications of the importance which it was destined to assume 
as a manufacturing town. As at other points along the 
river, several small mills had been established, but they were 
comparatively unimportant, and there was little to distin- 
guish the place from other farming settlements in the 
neighborhood. Early in the present century, however, the 
advantages of this locality for manufacturing purposes were 
recognized, and on a small scale the first attempt was made 
to utilize them. 

In 1811, the Cohoes Manufacturing Gomjyany^ composed 
entirely of gentlemen from Lansingburg, was incorporated, 
being one of the first corporations formed under the " general 
act" of that year. A tract of sixty acres on the bank of 
the river, which was part of the Heamstreet farm,' together 
with the water privilege, was secured, and land was also 
purchased from Jacobus Van Schoonhoven on the oj^posite 
side of the river, embracing what is now known as Simmons's 
Island. The property belonging to the patroon was trans- 
ferred to Gerret Peebles, one of the trustees of the company. 



1 This tract, known for some years as the Factory lot, and which afterward came 
into possession of the Cohoes Company, comprised all that part of the Heamstreet 
farm which lay east of Mohawk street, down to a point near Columbia street. 
The southern limit may be described according to landmarks now in existence, 
as a line extending from the Rensselaer and Saratoga rail road crossing (near 
Steenberg's carriage shop) to the river, passing by Geo. Ducharrae's house and the 
new gas works. The annual rental was seven bushels of wheat. A new lease was 
at the same time executed to Charles Heamstreet for the remainder of his farm, 
1451^ acres. 



38 History of Cohoes. 1811. 

May 20. The certificate of incorporation, filed June 18 in 
the ofiice of the secretary of state, was as follows : 

" This may certify that Timothy Leonard, Elijah Janes, 
Garret Peebles, Calvin Barker, Elias Parmelee, Sylvanus 
J. Penniman, Ebenezer W. Walbridge, John Stewart, 
Joseph Fox, Jacob L, Lansing, James Adams, Elisha Janes, 
John Pierce and Setli Seelye, in the village of Lansingburg 
in the county of Rensselaer, and state of New York, have 
associated and formed themselves into a company according 
to the act entitled ' an act relative to Incorporations for man- 
ufacturing purposes, passed March 22, 1811,' by the name 
of 'The Cohoes Manufacturing Company,' for the purposes 
of manufacturing Cotton, Woolen and Linen goods, making 
bar-iron, Anchors, Mill Irons, nail rods, Hoop-iron and 
Iron Mongery. That the Capital Stock of said company 
shall be One Hundred Thousand Dollars and the number 
of shares tioo thousand. The stock, property and concerns 
of the said company shall be conducted and managed by 
seven trustees, and Timothy Leonard, Calvin Barker, Gerrit 
Peebles, Elias Parmelee, Elijah Janes, Ebenezer W. Wal- 
bridge and Seth Seelye, shall be the Trustees to manage 
the concerns of said company for the first year, commencing 
on the day of the filing of this certificate in the Secretary's 
office of this State. The operations of the said Company 
will be carried on at Cohoesville in the town of Watervliet, 
in the county of Albany and state aforesaid, on the west 
Bank of the Mohawk River, a little distance southeast of 
the Cohoes bridge." 

The first enterprise in which the company engaged was 
the manufacture of screws ; a wing dam was built, and a 
building (on the site now occupied by Weed & Becker's 
axe factory) was erected soon after the incorporation. 

It was the intention of the company, in purchasing so 
large a tract of land, to lay it out and improve it so as to 
afford sites for further manufacturing establishments which 
in time could be disposed of to other parties, but no move- 
ment of the sort appears to have been made, and for some 
years, at least, the operations of the Company were confined 
to this factory. The operatives employed were mostly 
from New York. Several large wooden tenements, still 



1813. History of Cohoes. 39 

standing, (between Saratoga street and the canal) were built 
for their accommodation, on the knoll at the west of the 
factory. 

The first superintendent employed by the company was 
named Pierce, who was succeeded in 1813 by Col. Prescott. 

Horatio Spafford, who was a resident of Lansingburg, and 
was doubtless acquainted with his townsmen who were 
engaged in this enterprise, appears to have been the first 
writer to mention the wonderful facilities offered by this 
locality for manufacturing purposes. In his Gazetteer of 
New York State (1st ed., 1813), he said, under the head of 
Half-Moon : 

" The Cahoos Falls of the Mohawk, near its mouth, are 
between this town and Watervliet, and will supply a vast 
profusion of sites when the surrounding population shall 
need extensive works. There are now mills erected upon 
the upper sprout or delta of that river just at Waterford 
Point whex'e it meets the Hudson." 

Under the title of Watervliet, the following appeared in 
regard to Cohoes : 

" About thi-ee miles N. of Gibbonsville (West Troy) there 
is a bridge across the Mohawk, a short distance below the 
Cahoos Falls. The roads are numerous in the interior, but 
they are rather paths than highways. The Cahoos, being 
the principal falls of the Mohawk, are between Watervliet 
and Half Moon in Saratoga Co. The whole waters of the 
Mohawk descend in one sheet at high water, about 70 
feet. In the vicinity of the Cahoos is a Dutch church and 
farming neighborhood commonly called the Boght. Since 
the above was written, a manufactory of screws of iron for 
woodwork, erected on the lower sprout of the Mohawk near 
the Cahoos bridge, has got into successful operation. 

Works are about to be added for drawing the wire from 
which the screws are formed, when the iron will be taken in 
the bar, and manufactured into screws, now made of foreign 
wii'e. The machinery is all driven by water, and is said to 
be very ingenious, the invention of a self-taught artist, Mr. 
Wm. C. Penniman. Some samples of the screws which T 
have seen appear to be well formed, and they are cut with 



40 History of Cohoes, 1813. 

great dispatch. These works are owned by an incorporated 
company with a sufficient capital, and are situated directly 
opposite Lansingburg, and about two miles below Water- 
ford."! 

It is probable that the establishment of this factory made 
little difference in the general life of the hamlet. It was 
situated some distance from the main road, accessible only 
by a rough path through the woods (now Oneida street), 
its proprietors and operatives were all strangers, and beyond 
the interest naturally awakened by the first operations, the 
enterprise received but slight attention from the inhabitants. 

One event, however, which was of general importance, 
was perhaps brought about by the accession of the families 
of the factory operatives. The only school house in the 
neighborhood previously, had been located at the Boght, 
but another was established about this time, which was 
more accessible to many of the inhabitants. The school 
was first located in a building on the main road, afterwards 
occupied as a residence by Israel Anthony, a shoe-maker, 
and still later by Wm. Link.- The first teacher was a man 
named O'Neil. About the same time or soon afterward, a 
school building was erected a short distance above the 
Heamstreet farm house. -^ Supply F. Wilson was one of 
the early teachers. 

About this time the manufacture of writing paper was 
commenced in Gerret Clute's mill near the Falls. The 
building had not been used as a grist mill for some time, 
and was occupied for several years as a cloth establishment 
for dressing common farmers' flannel. The proprietor of 
the paper mill was Elisha Sheldon, who employed a man 



1 John M. King, who as a boy was employed in the screw factory, is now living in 
Lansingburg. 

2 Near the corner of Oneida and Mohawk streets, on the site of the residence of 
M. S. Younglove. 

3 On Saratoga street on the site occupied by the Bed or State-yard school house. 



1816. History of Cohoes. 41 

named Ensign as his superintendent. Two wooden tene- 
ments were erected near the mill. ' 

In 1815 or 1816, the screw factory was burned, and this 
appears to have interrupted for a time the operations of the 
company. A great part of the stock changed hands, most 
of it coming into possession of Benjamin and Samuel De 
Milt of New York, and after some delay a new building 
was erected, which was occupied as a cotton factory. In 
connection with it a small factory was afterward estab- 
lished for the manufacture of shovels and other tools 
which was conducted by Collin and Jones. Few particulars 
in regard to it can be obtained. 

About the year 1820, the first church building within 
the present limits of Cohoes was erected. It was a small 
wooden structure, located above the north line of the 
Charles Heamstreet farm, near what is now the north- 
west coi-ner of Mohawk and White streets. But little 
can be ascertained in regard to the history of the 
church. It was of the Methodist denomination, and 
was organized mainly through the efforts of the different 
Heamstreet families. The services were conducted by 
Jacob Heamstreet and a man named Whipple of Lansing- 
burg, as exhorters, but there is no record that a clergy- 
man "was ever regularly settled. The building was only 
used abo^^t two years, when disputes of some sort arose 
and the services were abandoned. It remained for some time 
unoccupied, and was afterward converted into a dwelling 
house. Directly in front of this church was located the 
ninth mile stone from Albany. The eighth mile stone was 
near Jacob II. Lansing's house. 

The construction of the Erie and Champlain Canals, which 
was begun in 1817, and completed, at least in this vicinity, 
in 1823, was the first event to cause a noticeable change in 



1 The mill was destroyed about 1832, when the improvements of the Cohoes Com- 
pany were in progress. 



42 History of Cohoes. 1823. 

the character of the place. It may well be imagined that 
the equanimity of its quiet Dutch inhabitants was seriously 
disturbed by the projection of these improvements, and that 
they regarded the invasion of their domains with a disfavor 
which no awards of land damages could remove. Every 
farm was traversed by one or both of the canals. Both 
passed directly in front of the residence of Abram G. Lan- 
sing, marring the lawn which extended from the house to 
the river, and destroying much of the beauty of his country 
place — while the next farm on the north, belonging to 
Charles Heamstreet, was damaged almost as greatly. The 
front yard of the farm house was cut off by the Champlain 
Canal, leaving no means of access to the highway, except by a 
bridge which was built a short distance above the house, and 
soon afterward Mr. Heamstreet disposed of the farm, and 
moved away, his reason being, it is said, disgust at this 
mutilation of his property. The other farmers, whose lands 
were all more or less injured, appear to have been more 
resigned to the innovation, though it was doubtless equally 
unwelcome. 

The junction of the Erie and Champlain Canals (located 
near the site of the stables of the Troy and Cohoes Hoi-se 
Rail Road Company on Saratoga street north of the dyke), 
gave this locality some little importance in the early 
days of canal navigation. On the occasion of the canal 
celebration Oct. 8th, 1823, the JDeioitt Clinton, the first 
boat to pass from the Erie Canal into the Hudson, was here 
met by the joint committee of the common council and 
citizens of Albany, who escorted to that city the passengers, 
consisting of Gov. Yates, the canal commissioners, and other 
prominent officials. It was at this point that the slight ac- 
tivity in the place, which followed the regular opening of 
navigation, was chiefly manifested. The construction of 
the canals brought to Cohoes quite a number of new in- 
habitants, some of whom came during the progress of the 
work and others soon after its completion. Houses were 



1823. History of Cohoes. 43 

built, and canal groceries, stables, and similar concerns es- 
tablished at different points. The most important of these 
were at the junction, at which place the principal settlers 
were Messrs. Crowner, Waterman and Phelps. The house 
of Mr. Waterman, who was the first justice of the peace 
in the neighborhood, was situated on the hill just south of 
the ravine at the northwest of the junction, and those of 
Crowner and Phelps were by the canal north of the site of 
the horse rail road stables. Among other families which 
came to Cohoes about this time were those of Messrs. Henry 
En Earl, Flannigan, Beecher, Wolcott and Herkimer. 

The boats at this time only ran during the day and there 
was consequently a demand for lodgings for the boatmen 
and stabling for their horses, which was the means of 
supporting several small taverns ; of these the most im- 
portant was the one which had been established by Richard 
Heamstreet, and was then kept by Andrews. Another was 
located in the old Ouderkii-k or Fonda farm-house, which 

was kept by Dyer and afterward by Williams. 

Connected with this was a large barn (burned a few years 
since) which stood on the flats between the canal and the 
river, and furnished accommodations for a number of canal 
teams. On the hill was the Cohoes House owned by the 
Van Der Marks, who had leased the southwest portion of 
the Clute farm. This was located near the bridge which 
crosses the present Erie Canal by the Boght road.' 

With the exception of some alterations made three years 
since, near the old junction, the course of the Champlain 
Canal, near Cohoes, has remained as originally laid out. 
The old Erie Canal ran north from the junction, passing over 
the ground now occupied by Main street, and the third and 
second levels of the Cohoes Company's canals. Above the 
Falls it ran in a north westerly direction, being at the west of 



' This was torn dowu in 1875. In later years it was called the Old House at Home, 
and was kept by Geo. Bray. 



44 History of Cohoes. 1823. 

the present location of the Cohoes Company's upper level. 
Within the space now included between the northern and 
southern boundaries of the city were nineteen locks, fol- 
lowing each other in rapid succession. Two of these were 
below the junction, and seven between the junction and the 
road to Watervliet, now Columbia street. The next one was 
located near what is now White street, and the old lock 
house (on the east side of Main street), is still standing ; 
three more were situated near the site now occupied by the 
jute mill (formerly paper mill) on Mohawk street, and two 
others occupied the ground near where the jjump house now 
stands. Between the Three Locks and the Two LocJcs^ near 
the site of the Harmony Mills, was a large basin, capable of 
holding thirty or forty boats, which at night was often 
filled. A canal grocery, owned by Oliver C. Hubbard, was, 
about 1828, located on one of the Two Lochs. The 
last locks, four in number, were near the present northern 
boundary of the city. 

These locks were an object of great dislike to travelers 
and boatmen, whose progress was seriously impeded by 
them in busy seasons when boats were numerous. To avoid 
wasting the time which would have been employed in the 
^^edious journey from Albany to the upper locks, a line of 

stage coaches was established by Allen, a few years 

after the oj^ening of the canals, which connected with the 
packets just above the locks. These coaches, on some days 
five or six in number, came up from Albany every morning 
bringing westward bound passengers and returned at night 
with those who had come in from the opposite direction. 
The horses were stabled during the day at the Van Der 
Mark tavern. 

In Spafford's Canal Guide, published 1824 and 1825, the 
following objects of interest in Cohoes at that time were 
mentioned : 

" Between Albany and Schenectady, twenty-eight and a 



1823. History op Cohoes. 45 

half miles, a day is employed, there being so many locks to 
pass ; but every person is well compensated for the time 
and expense of at least one trip, passing twenty-seven locks, 
two aqueducts, and an interesting variety of natural 
scenery 

Miles from Albany. 

8^ Juncta, or the junction where the Erie receives the 
Champlain Canal by a navigable feeder from the Mohawk, 
below which there is a basin and 2 locks, Nos. 3 and 4, 
2 of the N'ine Locks. No. 3 to 11, in about half a mile rise 
78 feet. Here are two locks the commencement of a 
double set now building of the white marble of West- 
chester Co. 

r. from Juncta by Champlain Canal to Waterford, 2 miles. 

1. A. G. Lansing's at lock No. 6. 

9 Lock No. 12, rise 8 feet. 

9i The Three Locks, Nos. 13, 14 and 15, rise 26 ft., opposite 

Cahoos Bridge. 
9^ The Two Locks, Nos. 16 and IV rise 18 ft., Nos. 13, 14, 

15, 10, the 4 Marhle Locks. 

10 Deep cutting, 26 ft., 40 rods, transition argillite 
r. Cahoos Falls, perpendicular descent 78 ft. 

lOi r. Paper Mill on Mohawk River. 

10 J The Four Locks, Nos. 18, 19, 20, 21, rise 32 ft. 

r. Wing dam, and grist saw and plaster mill. ^ " 

The points mentioned on the Champlain Canal were 
Whiting's factory, - the cotton factory and the dam, 
the latter of which is thus described. "^ m. Dam, Mohawk 
River, 7 ft. pond 1600 ft. wide, back water 53 rods, navi- 
gation through the pond, guard locks, feeder for Erie 
Canal." 

In the second edition of Spafford's Gazetteer, published 

1824, the place was described as follows : 



1 The plaster mill, belonging to the Lansing family, had not been long in opera- 
tion. It was located in an addition which was biiiU at the south of ti.e original 
saw and grist mills. The building was used a few years later for the manufacture 
of coarse wrapping paper. 

* This was the mill which had been conducted by John Ileamstreet. It came into 
the possession of the Whitings of Troy, and was used some years as a candle factory. 
The frame of the mill remained standing as late as 1837. The house occupied by 
the Whitings, and in later years known as the Alcombrack house, is still standing, 
near the site of the old mill. 



46 HiSTOKY OF COHOES. 1823. 

" The detention of boats in passing the numerous locks 
near here will help the proprietors towards making this a 
place of business, particularly if they connect it with mill 

works and factories, as they may well do I have 

perhaps rather whimsically named the new town which the 
proprietors mean to have at the place where the Erie Canal 
receives the Champlain Canal, Juncta, but if they make a 
town or village there, I may at least make a name for it until 
they give it one. It is a pretty spot, and if they give it 
water power and hydraulic works, there will soon collect 
about it people enough to make a handsome little village." 

The cotton factory of the Cohoes Manufacturing Company, 

of which Sayres was at the time agent, was spoken of 

as PrescoWs factory, " a stone building, near the Cahoos 
bridge and the ruins of the screw factory mentioned in the 
first edition of this work. It is owned principally in Lan- 
singburg." 

It was at the time the only cotton factory in the county. 
The design of the company to establish here a manufactur- 
ing village, referred to in the above extract, is described at 
greater length in a memorial drawn up for presentation to 
the canal commissioners by the trustees, soon after the 
opening of the canal. In this it was stated that they 
had purchased lands and water privileges from Stephen 
Van Rensselaer and Jacobus Van Schoonhoven " for which 
lands and water privileges there has been paid by the trust- 
ees of the Cohoes Manufacturing Company to the aforesaid 
persons the sum of four thousand six hundred and seventy- 
one dollars. Your memorialists further represent that 
at the time of making the above purchases they had ascer- 
tained that the lands so j^urchased, together with the water 
privileges, would furnish sites and power for twenty-two 
manufacturing establishments ; that the ultimate value of 
so many sites for hydraulic machinery your memorialists 
calculated would indemnify them for the extraordinary 
price paid for the aforesaid premises, and the expenses 
which they might incur in commencing operations which 
were yet new in this country ; that with the view of dis- 
posing of sites to jjurchasers, they have had their land sur- 
veyed and laid out into proper lots, and have excavated a 



1823. History of Cohoes. 47 

canal nearly through their land, forty feet wide, at an ex- 
pense of three thousand four hundred and sixty dollars ; 
that after practicing every economy, which the nature of 
their business would admit, they have expended on the pre- 
mises the sum of seventy-five thousand dollars, for which 
or for the interest that has accrued thereon, they have as 
yet received no return. Your memorialists beg leave further 
to suggest that they conceive they had acquired a perfect 
title to all the above mentioned pi'emises ; that they are 
entitled to an adequate compensation for the damages they 
sustain by the loss of land and improvements by means of 
the canal operation, and by loss of privileges occasioned by 
the use and diversion of the waters of the Mohawk, and 
your memorialists beg leave further to suggest the propriety 
of their claim to the waters of the Mohawk, beyond what 
is necessary for supplying the northern and western locks 
and canals ; and your memorialists respectfully solicit your 
honorable body to fix upon certain regulations under which 
your memorialists may have leave to take and use such of 
the waters of the Mohawk as shall not be wanted for canal 
purposes." 

From various reasons, chiefly lack of capital, the plans of 
this company never approached completion. The opening 
of the canal had, however, drawn the attention of other par- 
ties to the feasibility of a similar enterprise, and in 1826, 
with the incorporation of the Cohoes Company^ the first 
steps were taken towards the development, on a large scale, 
of the wonderful natural resources of the place, and the 
foundation was laid for the establishment of a thriving town. 

The honor of originating the first design for the complete 
and systematic utilization of the water power belongs to 
Canvass White, of whom an extended notice is given else- 
where. He first became interested in the project while en- 
gaged as engineer in the construction of the Erie Canal, and 
being convinced of its imj^ortance, devoted himself earnestly 
to obtaining means for its execution. Not being a man of 
large property himself, he sought the cooperation of a num- 
ber of capitalists Avith whom he had acquaintance — promi- 
nent among them being Stephen Van Rensselaer of Albany, 



48 History of Cohoes. 1823. 

and the members of the firm of Peter Remsen & Co. of 
New York, and without difficulty gained their aid in the 
enterprise. A company was formed, which was incorporated 
March 28th, the directors named in the charter being as 
follows: Peter Remsen, Chas. E. Dudley, Stephen Van- 
Rensselaer Jr., Francis Olmstead, Canvass White, Henry 
J. Wyckoff and David Wilkinson. Their election held in 
that year resulted in the choice of Mr. White as president, 
and Mr. Van Rensselaer as vice president. The first sec- 
retary, Mr. Wyckofi^, was not elected until the following 
year. The powers of the company in regard to improve- 
ments were thus stated in the charter: 

" It shall and may be lawful for the said corporation to 
erect and maintain a dam across the Mohawk River, opposite 
the lands belonging to said corporation above the great 
Cohoes Falls for supplying water for the purpose of said 
corporation. . . . The said corporation shall have full 
right, power and authority to cut, construct and make a 
canal or canals from said river upon the lands of said cor- 
poration, to supply water for all the purposes of said cor- 
poration ; and to cut, construct and make upon the lands of 
said corporation as many lateral canals connected therewitli 
as may be necessary to supply water for the manufacturing 
establishments which may be erected, and also to afi^ord 
such water communication with the Erie and Champlain 
Canals as shall be approved by the canal commissioners or 
such other person or persons as may hereafter be appointed 
by the legislature, having the superintendence and manage- 
ment of said canals ; and may also at any time hereafter 
purchase, build, or hire for the use and in the name of the 
said corporation, houses, factories, warehouses, wharves and 
other necessary buildings and to sell or lease any part or 
the whole of the above mentioned projierty, and also any 
surplus water of their canals, in such manner as they may 
think most conducive to the interest of said corporation." 

The capital of the company was 1250,000.' 



1 Increased in 1835, to $500,000 with the proviso that none of the additional cupital 
should be employed in manufacturing operations. 



1825. History of Cohoes. 49 

The incorporation of this company, the most important 
event thus far in the history of Cohoes, had no immediate 
effect upon the place. Time was required for the perfection 
of plans and the completion of necessary arrangements, so 
no active operations were at once commenced, and for the 
next few years but little is to be recorded concerning the 
history of the village. 

During the winter of 1825-26, the locks at the junction, 
which had proved insufficient to accommodate the rapidly 
increasing number of boats, were doubled. A new bridge 
(on the site of the present one) across the Mohawk above the 
dam was constructed by the Cohoes Bridge Company, which 
was authorized to contract with the canal commissioners for 
building and sustaining a tow path bridge for the benefit 
of the Champlain Canal, and was empowered to change the 
location of the old structure, and take such lands of the 
adjoining shores as might be necessary. The new bridge, 

built by Hay ward, was of wood, and had latticed 

sides, being one of the first so constructed in the neighbor- 
hood. ' The toll collector was Jacob Van Der Werken, 
who had been the last collector at the upper bridge. 

After the completion of this bridge, efforts were made 
for the establishment of a suitable approach to it, and a 
survey of the road from the junction north was made by 
Wm. Roberts Jr., March 22, 1828, as follows : 

" The road is laid out four rods wide in all places, measured 
at right angles with the course thereof. Beginning at a point 
in the centre of the road bearing north seventy-five degrees 
and fifty minutes west thirty-nine links from the southwest 
corner of the tavern house owned by A. G. Lansing, and 
now occupied by Henry En Earl and running thence upon 
the centre of the road north fourteen degrees and ten 
minutes east to the centre of the new Cohoes bridge at the 
south end thereof." 

For some reason this survey was never I'ecorded, and in 



1 It was partially destroyed by ice, in 1832, but remained in use until March, 1853 
when it was burned. Tlie last toll collector was John G. Bonce. 

7 



50 History of Cohoes. 1828. 

later years various parties have been able to encroach upon 
the street with impunity. When the state buildings were 
erected, about eight years later, the fence projected some 
distance into the street. Remonstrance was made by Hugh 
White, then president of the Cohoes Bridge Company, and he 
was assured by Clark Sumner, canal superintendent, that the 
land should be restored any time it was needed for public 
purposes. This, however, has never been done. 

In 1828, a new school district was formed, all this neigh- 
borhood having been previously included in one district, 
having for its only accommodation the Red School Ho^ise. 
The new school was located in a building which had been 
used as a boarding house during the construction of the 
bridge, and stood near the site of the old freight house of the 
Rensselaer and Saratoga Rail Road Company, on Oneida 
street. 

In 1829, the cotton factory burned, and the Cohoes 
Manufacturing Company was broken up. The last agent 
of the company was Otis Sprague, and its trustees at the 
time of its dissolution were : B. De Milt, Edward Taylor, 
John Sayre, Calvin Barker, Joseph Curtis, Wm. M. Morrell 
and Samuel De Milt. The enterprise had not been particu- 
larly successful, financially, and the jDroprietors made no 
effort to I'ebuild and continue business, probably seeing 
that their concern would be completely overshadowed in 
the progress of the operations then about to be commenced 
by the Cohoes Company. 



1831. HiSTOKY OF COHOES. 61 



IV. 

1831 TO 1836. 



W] 



ITH the completion, in 1831, of the first actual im- 
provements of the Cohoes Company, commenced a new era 
in the history of Cohoes. 

Though this neighborhood had been settled at an early 
day, and had been increased in population and activity by 
the establishment of the factory of 1811, and the opening 
of the canals, there had never been any movement toward 
a regular development of the place. The early inhabitants, 
occupied only with their farms or their traffic with passing 
boatmen, had no local interests in common which would 
stimulate them to an effort for the establishment of a village, 
and previous to this time, the place, hardly entitled to be 
even called a hamlet, had consisted (aside from the factory) 
of the half dozen farm houses at intervals along the banks 
of the river, and a few scattered canal groceries. The ad- 
vent of new inhabitants, however, all engaged directly or 
indirectly in putting to practical use the natural advantages 
of the place, and having a common interest in its growth 
and improvement, infused a new life into Cohoes, and its 
active career was then entered upon. 

Early in the season a wooden dam was constructed above 
the Falls, not far from the location of the present one. At 
the same time the company purchased from I. D. F. Lan- 
sing a large tract of land in that vicinity, together with a 
portion of the mill privilege which had been the property 
of his family since their first settlement in the neighborhood. 
Mr. Lansing reserved the right of using enough water for 
four run of stone, and transferred to the company the re- 
mainder of the water power, together with the privilege of 
constructing the dam and the necessary canals, for the sum 



52 History of Cohoes. 1831. 

of $12,495. Further accessions had been made by the pur- 
chase of lands on the opposite or Waterford side of the 
river. A strip one rod in width, extending from the Falls 
to the dam, was purchased from Garret Van Schoonhoven 
in 1826, for $5,000, thus enabling the company to control 
the entire power of the river except that reserved by Mr. 
Lansing. Other tracts, embracing a large part of what is 
now known as JVorthslde and extending beyond the jShate- 
muck JI/^7^ property on the Champlain Canal, were purchased 
from Joshua Blower at different times from 1826 to 1838. ^ 
The officers of the company made an arrangement by 
which they were permitted to use the Erie Canal for the 
purpose of supplying water to factories until the company 
could complete a canal of its own. The water from above 
the dam was conveyed into the Erie Canal just below the 
Fotir Locks, by means of a wooden trunk which passed 
under the highway near I. D. F. Lansing's grist mill. 

Having thus prepared for the utilization of its facilities 
the company began to invite the attention of capitalists to 
the locality, and take measures for the establishment of a 
village. These efforts, though not resulting as favorably 
as had been hoped, still had the effect of bringing a number 
of new inhabitants. 

One of the first settlers led here in consequence of the 
organization of the Cohoes Company, was Hugh White, 
who had arrived with his family in April, 1830. He had 
made previous arrangements for settling here, and his house 
on the Waterford road (the lumber for which had been 
prepared in Chittenango, N. Y., and was shipped on the 
canal ready to be put up), was nearly completed on his 
arrival. Mr. White took the place of his brother Canvass, 
who was often away attending to other business, in super- 
intending the early improvements of the company. Early 
in the year David Wilkinson, of Pawtucket, R. L, one of 



» This land was originally in the old Van Schaick Patent. 



1831. History of Cohoes. 53 

the Cohoes Company, after urgent solicitation and liberal 
offers on the part of his fellow members, decided to take 
up his residence here, and arrived in April, being followed 
the next month by his brother-in-law, Hezekiah Howe. 
These gentlemen, together with the friends who accom- 
panied them, had a most important part in shaping the 
history of the town. Mr. Wilkinson was one of the fore- 
most mechanics and inventors in the country, and was 
widely known to manufacturers and capitalists. Having 
suffered heavily in the business depression of 1829, he, with 
his partner Mr. Howe, determined to avail himself of 
the opportunity offered for trying his fortunes in a new 
locality. The result proved how well grounded were the 
expectations of the company in regard to the effect of his 
ability and enterprise on the growth of Cohoes. 

Among the friends of Messrs. Wilkinson and Howe, who 
arrived here about the same time, were Joshua R. Clarke, 
John Baker, Nathaniel Wheeler, Samuel Baldwin, Pardon 
Whitman, Robert Leckie, Geo. H. Kimball, and John 
Tillinghast. 

The prospects for the new comers were not particularly 
encoui'aging. The best accommodations to be had were 
afforded by Mr. Faulkner, who then kept the Richard Heam- 
street tavern, and they were of the most limited description. 
Mr. Howe and his family, after boarding for some little 
time at this place, took up their residence in the house on 
the southwest corner of Oneida and Saratoga streets, which 
had previously been occupied by employes of the Cohoes 
Manufacturing Company ; Mr. Wilkinson took possession 
of the Whiting house, near the river ; Mr. Clarke occupied 
half of another of the factory houses, below Saratoga street 
near Ontario, and the other families found accommodations, 
for the most part temporary, in different localities in the 
neighborhood. At this time there were not over twenty or 
twenty-five buildings standing on the ground which is now 



54 History of Cohoes. " 1831. 

the most thickly settled portion of the city, and mention 
has already been made of the greater part of them. Among 
the most important were the old farm houses on the Lansing 
and Heamstreet properties, the dwellings of Crowner, 
Waterman, Phelj)s, and En Earl at the junction, and the 
factory tenements near the state dam. On the west side of 
Mohawk street, near its junction with Oneida, ' was quite a 
settlement, the principal house being that of Jacob Van 
Der Werken ; opposite to this, and nearly on the site of the 
present residence of Geo. Lawrence, lived a man named 
Rice. Next door to Van Der Werken's was the dwelling of 
Washington Cavan, which now forms part of the offices of 
P. D. Niver, and Justice Redmond. South of this was 
the dwelling of Wm. Link, which has been before referred 
to as occupied by Israel Anthony. On Mohawk street, 
opposite the present City Hotel (the site of which was then 
occupied by a large Dutch barn belonging to the Richard 
Heamstreet farm), was a small cottage occupied by Mr. 
Robinson ; on the bank of the river the gate house of the 
old bridge was still standing, and was occupied by Capt. 
Andrews. On the hill, besides the Lansing farm houses 
and the Van Der Mark tavern or Cohoes House, there was 
nothing excej^t the canal groceries of Hubbard and Revels. 
The first house south of Link's was that of Isaac Fletcher, 
on the southeast corner of Mohawk and Pine ; adjoining 
this Avere two or three small buildings, one of which was 
occupied by a man named Crabbe. The Methodist church, 
on the opposite side of the street, was then unoccupied ; 
Dr. Tracy, the first physician, it is said, who settled in 
Cohoes, had a house on the north side of Columbia street, 
between Main and Remsen streets, and near the junction of 
Mohawk and Saratoga (on the site of the residence of 
Malachi Weidman), stood a small dwelling occupied by 



1 In speaking of these localities, I am compelled to use the names of our present 
streets, though of course they were not in existence at that time. 



1831. History of Cohoes. 55 

Isaac Van Der Werken. Along the canal may have been 
a few small groceries, and here and there an occasional 
shanty, bnt so far as I have been able to ascertain, there 
were no buildings of importance then standing in the main 
part of the village besides those already mentioned. All the 
land west of the Erie Canal was yet uncleared ; on the east 
a great part of it was unfit for farming purposes and had 
been neglected. Between the canal and Remsen street was 
a swamp which, for a number of years, was put to no use 
except as a cow pasture. The character of the laud, marshy 
and full of quicksands, proved a serious obstacle in later 
years to many who were building in that locality. Between 
Remsen and Mohawk streets the soil was better adapted 
for cultivation, and on part of it a crop of corn had been 
raised in the previous year. The block between Factory 
and Oneida streets was occupied by an orchard belonging 
to the Richard Heamstreet farm. A deep ravine, through 
which had once flowed a brook of considerable size, passed 
from the canal down Ontario street across Remsen, and 
then in a northeast direction to Mohawk street. 

At this time, and for a number of years later, there was 
a beautiful pine grove on the land through which the 
Rensselaer and Saratoga Rail Road now passes, extending 
from the bridge nearly to Howard street, and smaller groves 
were scattered at intervals between the Falls and the junction. 

For the accommodation of the people at the factory, a 
narrow road (now Oneida street) had been cut through 
from the state dam to the main road, with which it con- 
nected near Jacob Van Der Wei-ken's house. Besides this 
and the main highway there were no other public roads, 
except the one which is now Columbia stz-eet. This had 
been in use from a very early day. The farmers from the 
Boght, instead of turning into the main road near the Falls, 
often chose the lower road in preference, and came down 
that way when they drove to Troy and Albany with their 
produce, or went to Heamstreet's mill. 



56 History of Cohoes. 1831. 

Such was Cohoes in 1831. A description of life in the 
place during that year, from some of those who were pioneers 
in its settlement and improvement, gives one a striking 
sense of the inconveniences and annoyances they must have 
suffered. Until they could become settled in business, and 
make arrangements for building or hiring suitable houses, 
their accommodations were resti-icted ; there were no facili- 
ties of any account for communication with the outside 
world, the only public conveyance to neighboring towns 
being the canal boats, which often consumed two hours in 
making the trip from here to Troy, though the people were 
in the habit of saving time by walking to the junction and 
taking the boat at that point, thus avoiding the delay of 
the locks ; it was almost impossible to obtain the common- 
est necessities of life ; groceries, and those of an inferior de- 
scription, could only be procured at the canal stores, at 
either extremity of the village, and fresh meat was a luxury 
only to be found occasionally at the junction ; the nearest 
post office was at Waterford. 

When, in addition to these discomforts, the fact is taken 
into account that the business prospects of the inhabitants 
were by no means bright, that the influx of capitalists and 
new population which had been expected was slow in coming, 
and the golden dreams which had been cherished in regard to 
the growth of the place were realized in but a slight degree, 
we can understand how much credit is due to the energy 
and perseverance of these early settlers and those who 
followed them within the next decade. Notwithstanding 
the obstacles in their way, the new-comers commenced at 
once their efforts for the improvement of the place. Messrs. 
Wilkinson and Howe were both active churchmen, and their 
first step was to procure accommodations for holding public 
worship. On May 2d, the day after Mr. Howe's arrival, 
St. John's Episcopal church was organized, and having 
secured the assistance of Rev. Orange Clark of Waterford, 



1831. History of Cohoes. 57 

services were held the next Sunday in the school house of 
District No. 5, on Oneida street. 

A Sunday school was at the same time organized under 
direction of Miss Wilkinson and Miss Maria Howe. The 
church services, which were held in the afternoon, were well 
attended and continued regularly during the year. 

The first churcli officers, were as follows : Wardens : 
David Wilkinson, Hugh White. Vestrymen : Hezekiah 
Howe, Otis Sprague, Albert S. Wilkinson, John Van Der 
Werken, Matthias Williams, Samuel H. Baldwin, Luther 
M. Tracy. 

Mr. Wilkinson commenced business operations at once, 
and his machine shop, located on Mohawk street on the site 
of the present Empire Mill, was erected and in full opera- 
tion within a few months after his arrival. The power was 
obtained from the Erie Canal by means of a waste gate, 
located near the north end of the present Harmony Mills 
carpenter shop, from which the water was conveyed to the 
machine shop by a small ditch. During the year Mr. 
Wilkinson was occupied chiefly in constructing machinery 
for cotton manufacture, some of which was shipped to 
Seneca Falls. Another establishment, which was com- 
pleted in the fall, was a saw mill belonging to Hugh White, 
which stood at the Two Locks where is now the picker room 
of No. 1 mill. It was built by Sylvester Van Der Mark, 
who had in his employ, as an apprentice, Dennis Flannigan. 
Mr, Van Der Mark and Joshua R. Clarke were the principal 
carpenters here, and most of the buildings erected for a 
number of years following were under the supervision of 
one or the other.' 

About the same time Mr. Howe established the first store 
of any importance in the place. It was located in a build- 



' Thia mill was run by Mr. White alone for a few years, and afterwards with J. 
R. Clarke as a partner. In August, 1836, it was sold to the Harmony Manufacturing 
Company, which was then being organized. 

8 



68 History of Cohoes. 1832. 

ing erected for the purpose at the middle one of the Three 
Locks, near the present Jute mill, at the place where Mr. 
Howe landed from the canal boat which brought him to 
Cohoes. The business, which was that of a general countrjc 
store, was conducted by his son. 

On the 23d of February 1832, the first postmaster, 
Frederick Y. Waterman, was appointed. The office was 
located at the junction, and as it was not much more con- 
venient of access than the one at Waterford, many people 
continued to have their mail sent to the latter place until 
Mr. Howe was appointed in the following year, when the 
office was transferred to his new store on the canal bank. 
The mail was carried by Wright Mallery, in later years a well- 
known resident of this city, who had at that time a bakery 
in West Troy. He made daily trips in this direction, visit- 
ing the groceries along the line of the canal, and brought 
the Cohoes mail in his bread cart — no heavy burden — for 
it consisted some days of but one or two letters. Mr. Mallery 
moved here in 1834, but went to Troy on business every 
day and continued to carry the mail for some time. 

During 1832, the Cohoes Com^iauy was actively engaged. 
The first dam was carried away by ice on January 10, and 
was immediately rebuilt. During the spring, also, the first 
two canals of the company, which had been commenced in 
the previous year, were completed ; the contractors for the 
work being Oliver C. Hubbard and Captain Andrews. The 
principal one, Basin A, extended from a point in the rear 
of the present Harmony Mills carpenter shop, on Mohawk 
street, to a short distance north of Factory street. The 
other, Basin JB, was of less importance, serving principally 
to receive the water from Basin A and convey it to the 
river. It is on Remsen street and forms the fourth level of 
the Cohoes Company's present system. The first factory 
to obtain its power from Basin A was one (now occupied 
by Holsapple's bedstead factory) which was erected in the 



1832. History of Cohobs. 59 

early part of the year by E. L. Miller, a wealthy gentleman 
of Charleston, S. C, who intended to engage in cotton 
manufacture. At the same time he tore down the old 
Heamstreet barn, on the corner of Factory and Mohawk 
streets, and commenced building a commodious residence, 
while directly opposite, on the east side of Mohawk street, 
he erected a small wooden building afterward occupied as 
a store by his nephew, Mr. Whiting, and in later years by 
the post office. The mill and residence were built by Joshua 
R. Clarke, and the masons employed were Elihu and John 
Stevenson, for many years well known citizens, who had 
come to Cohoes a few months previous. 

The buildings were hardly completed, however, when 
Mr. Miller fell into ill health, and changed all his plans. 
He became dissatisfied with his investments here, abandoned 
his idea of engaging in business, and went to New York, 
leaving his property to be disposed of for what it would 
bring. His house, directly after its completion, was con- 
verted into a hotel, which was first conducted by a man 
named Fuller, who came here from Watertown, and it has 
ever since been used for that purpose. It has been so al- 
tered and enlarged from time to time, however, that the 
present City Hotel bears but little resemblance to the 
original structure. In the mill, the machinery, which had 
been made by Mr. Wilkinson, was set up and ready for use, 
but soon after Mr. Miller's removal, it was sent to New 
Jersey to be sold. Another factory was erected during this 
season, by two gentlemen from New York for the purpose 
of manufacturing carpets. It was situated on Mohawk 
street, on the site now occupied by Gregory and Hiller's 
mill, and the power was obtained from Basin B. 

Soon after the mill was completed it was sold to Messrs. 
Roach and Jones, of West Troy.' 



1 It is said that the cause of this sudden abandonment of their enterprise by the 
original proprietors was the Asiatic cholera, then alarmingly prevalent. They took 



60 History of Cohoes. 1832. 

One of the most memorable buildings of the year was 
St. John's church, erected by Joshua R. Clarke, which stood 
on the south side of Oneida street, between Remsen and 
Mohawk streets ; the structure was of wood, thirty-eight by 
forty-eight feet in size. The interior was finished in the 
plainest possible manner, and upon the ladies of the 
parish devolved the work of adorning it with such decora- 
tions as their limited resources would allow. The church 
bell, destined to remain in use nearly forty years, was a gift 
from David Wilkinson. The entire cost of the edifice did 
not exceed $1,500, of which |500 were contributed by the 
Cohoes Company, who also gave the lot upon which it was 
erected, the latter being a stipulation made by Mr. Wilkin- 
son before he consented to come here. NotA\dthstanding 
this assistance, it was by no means easy to raise the necessary 
amount, for the members of the parish were few in number 
and nearly all of limited means. The work was one, how- 
ever, to which all were earnestly devoted and in its accom- 
plishment they were assisted by the cordial efforts of 
almost every one in the place, without regard to theological 
differences. The zeal of those who had labored so faith- 
fully in its behalf met with deserved success, and St. John's 
church, the organization of which had been one of the first 
steps towards the improvement of the village, became per- 
manently established. The building was consecrated on 
May 12th of the following year by Bishop Onderdonk, Rev. 
Mr. Whipple of Lansingburg assisting. 

Other buildings erected during this year were Mr. Wil- 
kinson's house on the northwest corner of Oneida and 
Mohawk streets, the most imposing residence the village 
had yet seen, and the brick building west of the church, 



it for granted that the race would soon become extinct, and that it would be use- 
less to make any business arrangements. 

The building was in later years used for the manufacture of white lead by Mr. 
Underwood, who had commenced that business in part of the Wilkinson machine 
ehop. 



1832. History of Cohoes. 61 

which was owned by Hugh White. The bricks used in the 
construction of the latter were made by a man named 
Welch and are said to have been the first made in the place, 
aside from those found in the old farm houses.' 

The event which marks this year as one of particular im- 
portance in the history of the jilace was the establishment 
by Egberts and Bailey of the first factory in which knitting 
machinery was successfully run by power.- Mr. Egberts, 
who had been keeping a store with his brother in Albany, 
became interested in 1831 in the process of making knit 
goods, and gave the svibject considerable attention. After 
Inspecting the clumsy hand machines then in use, the idea 
was suggested that improvements might be made by which 
a knitting frame could be made to run by power. Mr. Eg- 
berts himself was not a practical mechanic, and could do 
nothing towards perfecting any such apparatus ; but while 
he was talking on the subject with Dr. Williams, his family 
physician, the latter suggested that Timothy Bailey, who 
was then in the employ of Alfred Cooke, a cabinet maker, 
was a young man of remarkable mechanical ability, who 
could accomplish almost anything he turned his hand to, 
and would doubtless be able to carry out the idea if it were 
possible. Mr. Bailey was accordingly consulted, and 
after a careful examination of the knitting frame then 



' Bricks were afterwards made in consideraWe quantity by Maeon Sawyer. 
About 1812, Patrick Rogers, who has for some years had a monopoly of this branch 
of business here, commenced operations. His hrick yard was located on the 
flats south of Columbia street, afterwards on Mohawk street near Columbia and 
another has been of late years established on Harmony Hill. 

2 "The art of knitting is said to have been invented in Scotland, but the first 
machine for making knitted fabrics was the invention of Wm. Lee of England about 
two reniuries ago. This machine remained in nearly the same condition in which 
Lee left it for almost two centuries and the first introduced into America was the 
old heavy hand frame, which required the strength of a pretty strong man to ope- 
rate it with advantage. Immense sums of money had been expended in England 
to adapt the knitting frame for operation by steam or water power, like the carpet 
loom, but this achievement was left for the perseverance and skill of American in- 
ventors."— Aiken's History of tlie Art of Knitting. 



62 History of ohoes. 1832. 

used, concluded that he would undertake the task, on the 
understanding that Mr. Egberts was to provide the neces- 
sary funds. The first thing requisite was a knitting machine 
on which experiments could be commenced, and as this could 
not be obtained in Albany, Mr. Bailey went to Philadel- 
phia, arriving there April 1, 1831. After some search he 
succeeded in finding a disused machine, which he purchased 
for |55, and returned, prepared to commence operations at 
once. Within six days after its arrival in Albany he had 
the apparatus so arranged that it would knit by turning a 
crank at the side, and preparations weYe accordingly made 
for perfecting its operation. Mr. Egberts procured an upper 
story in a store near the foot of State street, to which Mr. 
Bailey moved his tools and machinery, and there continued 
his labors. In time he succeeded in making a machine 
which would make four shirt bodies, and knit thirty times 
back and across per minute, by the simple revolution of a 
crank, and steps were then taken to put the invention to 
practical use. In the meantime, Joshua Bailey, an elder 
brother of Timothy, had become interested in the machine, 
and selling out his farm, came to Albany to take part in 
the enterprise. In the fall of 1832, the partners came to 
Cohoes, and established themselves in the lower story of 
the cotton factory which was then being finished, the wheel 
having been jiist put in when they moved into the building. 
Their operations at first were of course on a very small 
scale, owing to their lack of facilities. Mr. Bailey's time 
was given almost altogether to making new machinery, in 
which he was at first assisted by Edward Gleasou, who had 
been in his employ some time while engaged in the first 
frame in Albany. Eight machines were made in succession 
and after a time Mr, Bailey arranged machinery for carding 
and spinning, the first goods having been made from yarn 
bought of outside parties. Thus was laid the foundation of 
that branch of industry which has since become a distin- 



1833. History of Cohoes. 63 

guishing feature of Cohoes, and to which it is largely in- 
debted for its present importance. ' 

Egberts and Bailey did not occupy all of the cotton 
factory until some years later, and in the meantime several 
other concerns were located in the building. One of the 
earliest was the machine shop of Russell Phelps, established 
soon after the factory was comj^leted. S. D. Fairbank, 
afterwards a prominent citizen, came to Cohoes with Mr. 
Phelps, and engaged in business with him. 

Early in 1833 John Tillinghast commenced the manufac- 
ture of satinet warps, but did not long continue ; the late 
Wm. Leckie of this city was in his employ. In the fall of 
the year the first building of importance on Remsen street, 
the first one north of the present Music Hall, was erected 
by John Stevenson, who sold it soon afterward to Mr. 
Mudge. On Mohawk street below the site of Root's Mill 
the first ofiice of the Cohoes Company, a small brick struc- 
ture, was built. During this year the company commenced 
the construction of the upper canal, one and three-quarter 
miles long, with a fall of eighteen feet, by which the water 
from the dam was brought dii'ectly into use in the lower 
levels. The work, done under direction of Chas. A. Olmsted, 
Geo. Strover of Schuylerville being contractor, was com- 
pleted in the following year. It ran on the east side of the 
Erie Canal and parallel with it, to a point a few hundred 
feet above the Tmo Locks, near School street, where it was 
taken under the canal by means of two wooden trunks 
about four or five feet in diameter, and then continued in 
its present course, tei-minating near the middle lock of the 
Three Locks, in the rear of the present Harmony Mill No. 
2. The water was then let into the upper end of Basin A, 
being again taken under the Erie Canal by means of wooden 



1 The Bailey Brothers secured lodgings for a time iu the village, and afterwards 
occupied diflerent parts of the wooden block wliich was erected by the Arm about 
1835, on the corner of White and Kemsen streets. Mr. Egberts was in the habit of 
driving up from Albany every day, and for some years boarded at the Cohoes Hotel. 



64 History of Cohoes. 1834. 

trunks. At this point, on the site of the Harmony Mills 
carpenter shop, was located the Cohoes Iron Foundry, con- 
ducted by John L. Wilkinson and Nathaniel Wheeler, 
which for many years did a large business. ' 

A factory for the manufactiire of axes and edge tools, 
established during this and the following year by Daniel 
Simmons, was the foundation of a branch of business which 
has since become one of the most important in Cohoes. 
Mr. Simmons began life as a blacksmith and had a foi'ge in 
the lower j^art of the city of Albany. Here he commenced 
making axes by hand for an occasional customer, using for 
the cutting edges German or blister steel, which was then 
supposed to be the only kind that could be successfully 
welded to iron. About 1825 it was found that by the use 
of refined borax as a flux, cast steel could be made to an- 
swer the purpose, and Mr. Simmons promjjtly took advan- 
tage of the discovery, being one of the first to put it to 
practical use. His axes soon became favorably known, and 
the demand for them was so increased that greater facilities 
for production became necessary. Accordingly in 1826, he 
removed to Berne, Albany County, where he secured a 
small water power, erected rude buildings, and put up trip 
hammers and other machinery. In time these accommoda- 
tions proved insufficient, and Mr. Simmons came to Cohoes, 
where he founded the establishment, one of the earliest in 
the country, which, under years of successful management, 
has made the Simmons Axe familiar in all parts of the 
globe. His partner for two years was Levi Silliman.- The 



iThongh Ml'. David Wilkinson was interested in the establishment of this foundery 
and of the machine shop, the business of both was conducted by his son. Mr. 
Wheeler's connection with the foundery ceased in 1844. Its subsequent proprietors 
were Chas. A. Olmsted, the Cohoes Company and Fuller & Safely (1858), by whom 
it was destroyed in 1867. 

2 In 1848, Mr. Simmons associated with him, under the firm name of D. Simmons 
& Co., Messrs. Wm. H. Weed of New York and Storm A. Becker of Cohoes. 
Hiram St. John, of New York, was subsequently admitted, to the partnership. 
After Mr. Simmons's death in Dec. 1860, the Arm of Weed, Becker & Co., was formed, 
which gave place to the present company in Feb. 1874. 



1836. History of Cohoes. 66 

first building (destroyed by fire in 1875), and the office of 
the present company which was built a few years later, were 
erected on the foundations of the establishments of the 
Cohoes Manufacturing Company. 

Another business enterprise was the establishment of the 
veneering and sawing mill of Hawes and Baker which was 
built near the junction of Remsen and Mohawk streets on 
the site at present occui^ied by the Star Knitting Company. 
The concern had been started in tlie preceding year, in an 
upper story of Mr. Wilkinson's machine shop, by Hawes and 
Goodwin, the latter of whom was one of the pioneers in the 
business of sawing veneers. His interest was bought by 
John Baker. 

Among the private residences erected dui'ing the year 
was that of Joshua R. Clarke, on the corner of Mohawk 
street and Cataract alley, now occnjjied by H. S. Bogue. 

During the next few years but little progress seems to 
have been made. The increase of population was slight, 
and there were but few additions to the business of the 
place, as appears from the following account of the village 
and its manufactures published in 1836 : 

" The property of the Cohoes Company, of which the vil- 
lage is part, at the mouths of the Mohawk, includes the 
Falls and the banks on both sides of the river, and extends 
within a few rods of the junction of the Erie and Champlain 
Canals. The property around the Falls has, from the first 
settlement of the country, been in the Van Rensselaer family 
who, with a just regard to its future value, had refused to 
part with it. The great hydraulic power here was first de- 
veloped by Mr. Canvass White, during the progress of the 
Erie Canal ; at whose instan& it was arranged with Peter 
Remsen & Co., of New York, and Mr. Van Rensselaer to 
commence its improvement on Sn large scale ; a liberal 
charter was obtained from the state in 1826, authorizing 
the investment of $250,000 and subsequently of half a mil- 
lion. By an independent canal, nearly two miles long, sup- 
plied with water by a dam in the river, half a mile above 
the Falls where the stream is three hundred yards wide, un- 
9 



66 History of Cohoes. 1836. 

connected with the state works, the company are enabled 
to avail themselves of the whole water of the river, yielding 
power for mills as durable and constant as the rocks and 
the stream. The entire head and fall thus gained is one 
hundred and twenty feet, permitting the use of the water 
under six successive falls of from eighteen to twenty-three 
feet above the level of the state dam, below which it may 
be used under a head of eleven feet, and maybe carried on 
these levels to almost any point on the company's estate. 
The minimum supply of water is one thousand cubic feet, 
the second, competent to drive from three to four millions 
of cotton spindles. The ujjjDer canal, excavated for a great 
part of its course in the slate rock, jjasses from the dam on 
the east side of the Erie Canal aud thence by a tunnel under 
that canal to the west side. The advantages of this position 
for manufactures are unquestionably the greatest in the 
state. By the Erie Canal and the North River it communi- 
cates directly with the great marts on the Hudson and with 
the ocean, by that canal with the interior of the state and 
the lakes and the Great West; and by the Champlain 
Canal with the northern portion of the state and the basin 
of the St. Lawrence ; obtaining readily from the south all 
that may be required from abroad, and from the west and 
north a never-failing supply of provisions, lumber and iron, 
upon the cheapest terms The village now con- 
tains one factory for cotton and woolen machinery, one for 
edge tools, one for cotton, linen and woolen hosiery made 
on newly invented looms, a mill driving turning lathes, an 
iron foundry, a carpet factory, an Episcopal church, two 
hotels, three stores, many shops of various kinds on the 
canals, and sixty dwellings, whose number is rapidly in- 
creasing." — Gordon's Gazetteer of JVew York. 



1837. History of Cohoes. 67 



Y. 

1837x0 1847. 

_/\_FTER two comparatively uneventful years, an impor- 
tant addition which was made to its business interests gave 
an impetus to the activity of the place. In 1837, the Har- 
mony Manufacturing Company, composed of New York 
capitalists, commenced the erection of a large cotton factory 
on Harmony Hill, the germ of the immense establishment 
which is now foremost among the manufacturing concerns 
of Cohoes. The company had been incorporated under 
the general act, in the previous year, by the following 
stockholders : Peter Harmony, Henry Punnett, Peter Rem- 
sen, Francis Olmsted, H. J. Wyckoff, P. H. Schenck & 
Co., James Stevenson, Joseph D. Constant, William Sin- 
clair, Van Wyck Wickes, Eliphalet Wickes, LeBron & 
Ives, Teunis Van Vechten, Joab Houghton, Charles O. 
Handy, Francis Griffin, Jacob H. Ten Eyck, Illis Winne, 
Jr., Hugh White, Henry Dudley, Stephen Van Rensselaer, 
Jr., and Benjamin Knower. The capital was $100,000 which 
was increased in 1839, to $150,000. The building (which 
is now standing immediately south of No. 1 mill, of which 
it forms a part according to the present arrangement of the 
company), was erected by Joshua R. Clarke and was com- 
pleted in the following year. A report made in August 
of that year by Peter Schenck and Hugh White, the 
building committee, described it as follows : 

" It appears by accurate accounts kept of expenditures 
that the cotton mill which is of very stout brick walls and 
slated roofs, four stories in height, one hundred and sixty- 
five feet long and fifty feet wide, with wheel houses at each 
end of tlie building of two stories, about thirty-nine and 
twenty-five feet each, with the fiumes, water wheels, driving 
pullies, etc., etc., has cost the sum of about $60,000 Aug. 1, 



68 History of Cohoes. 1837. 

1838. That the sum of $12,000 or thereabouts, will be re- 
quired to finish the Cotton House, put up steam boiler and 
pipes for heating, two forcing pumps, hose, etc., and com- 
plete the tail race, with other small items that appertain to 
factory (not machinery)." 

At the same time the company erected beyond the canal 
three brick tenements for the use of their operatives, con- 
taining each two stories and a basement, at the average 
cost of $3,000, and ari-anged for completing another in the 
following year. 

In the same report it was stated that the saw mill, which 
had cost |G,000, had been kept in constant employ and at a 
profit on the investment though it would require $4,000 to 
purchase timber to make it a profitable concei'n. The man- 
agers had at this time three thousand spindles in the mill 
and were on the point of commencing operations. They 
had contracted with the Matteawan Company for the pur- 
chase of six thousand spindles, but the cost of the building 
was so much more than had been anticipated, that the com- 
pany were prevailed upon to alter the contract, and furnished 
only five thousand, all of which were in operation in the 
following spring. 

In this year were made the first preparations for the en- 
largement of the Erie Canal, and the changing of its course 
through the village. 

It was the intention of the Cohoes Company to continue 
their first canal, running it further west, around the base 
of Prospect Hill in about the direction now taken by the 
Erie Canal, but the appropriation by the state of this land 
as the site for its improvements, made this impossible. The 
company of course sought compensation at once, and an 
arrangement for exchange was made, as set forth in the 
following act of the legislature, passed May 16, 1837. 

" The canal board are authorized in this discretion to 
grant and convey to the Cohoes Company so much of the 
present Erie Canal (except the stone of which the locks and 
bridge abutments are constructed) as may be abandoned 



1838. History of Cohoes. 69 

after the completion of the enlarged Erie Canal in satisfac- 
tion of the damages sustained by the said company by 
reason of the enlargement and alteration of the line of the 
present Erie Canal. Such grant shall be made upon such 
conditions and under such restrictions and reservations as 
the said board may deem proper." 

The establishment of a large factory, and the commence- 
ment of work on the canal improvement brought here a 
number of new inhabitants, adding largely of course, to the 
business activity of the place, and making necessary a 
number of local improvements. 

A change in the proprietorship of the Cohoes Hotel, during 
1838, established, on a sound basis, an institution which for 
many years after played a prominent part in the history of 
the village. The first proprietor had been succeeded in a 
short time by Willard Jenks (known by the nick-name of 
Quid), who was followed by Messrs. Alby and Lyons. 
This firm had no better success than its predecessors, and was 
sold out by the sheriff. Up to this time, it is said, no rent 
had been paid for the building, the owners of which were 
so well satisfied in having it occupied as a hotel, that they 
asked no further remuneration — an instance of remarkable 
public spirit. After the failure of Alby and Lyons the 
property came into possession of Henry D. Fuller, who 
moved here from Waterford, and was afterwards joined by 
his brother, Edward W. Fuller. ' Under the new manage- 
ment the hotel was greatly improved, and became one of 
the most important local institutions. For a number of 
years all the public entertainments and exhibitions were 
held in its dining room ; the elections took place there at 
various times, and it was the scene of all the public meet- 
ings for different purposes which were held until some time 
after the incorporation of the village. If an improvement 



'The subsequent proprietors have been Jacob Anthony, 1843-18—, Robert 
Williams, 1848, A. C. Bentley, 1848-5U, VVni. Schoutin, 1850-51, J. K. Wilkins, 
ia51-57, A. Van Der Mark, 1857-f)0, 0?rnr O Finney, 1860-65, Hnlet Lake. 1865-70, 
City Hotel, Geo. Z. Dockstader, 1871-76, M. L. Crocker. 



70 History of Cohoes. 1838. 

was to be suggested, or a remonstrance to be made, or 
money to be raised, or any matter of importance to the 
public in general to be considered, "A meeting of our 
citizens, to be held at the Cohoes Hotel," was invariably 
called, as the first proceeding. ' 

Among the improvements of the proprietors was the 
establishment of a regular mail stage, running between 
Waterford and Albany and making one round trip daily. 
The first public conveyance had been started about three 
years before by John Brown (a brother of Thos. V. Brown, 
now residing in this city) ; it was a vehicle of the simplest 
kind, and far fi-om comfortable, being merely an ordinary 
box wagon, with an oil cloth top. Mr. Brown sold out to 
the Messrs. Fuller, who jjut on the road a new coach, of the 
kind we now call old-fashioned stage coach, but then re- 
garded as a model of elegance and comfort. 

There were few changes of importance during this year 
in the business interests of the place. Messrs. Hawes & 
Baker sold out their veneering and sawing mill to Levi 
Silliman, the former partner of Daniel Simmons, and com- 
menced the manufacture of stoves, which they continued 
for some years, the only Cohoes firm, it is said, ever engaged 
in that business. Their castings were at first made in the 
Cohoes foundery, and afterwards in West Troy and Green 
Island. 

Among the private residences built were those of Heze- 
kiah Howe and Wm, J. McAlpine, both under direction of 



1 For many years the only places in town at which liquor was sold (except the 
canal groceries) were the hotel and Van Der Werken's grocery on the corner of 
Oneida and Mohawk streets. The latter establishment was a well known resort 
in the earlier days of Cohoes. It was originally kept by Jacob Van Der Werken, 
and afterward by his son, John B., known to the citizens respectively as Yaupy, 
and John Tavpy, both of whom were prominent in local affairs. The property on 
this corner came into the possession of Jacob Van Der Werken about sixty years 
ago and remained in possession of his family until quite recently, part having been 
bought by John Larkins in 1864, and a lot in the rear of the old grocery by Wm. 
Triebel, in 1865. 



1839. History of Cohoes. 71 

Joshua R. Clarke. The former, on the south-west corner 
of Seneca and Mohawk streets, now occupied by Dr. Moore, 
has since been considerably altered ; the house of Mr. 
Mc Alpine (who was engineer of this division of the canal), 
on the opposite side of the street, is now occupied by W. 
N. Chadwick, and is one of the best preserved of the older 
residences of Cohoes. The valuation of land in the village, 
at this time, as appears from a memorandum in the patroon's 
office, was |1,000 per acre. 

An important evidence of the growth of the village was 
the establishment of new churches. The Reformed Dutch 
church had been organized in November of the previous 
year, with the following members, of whom only the last 
two are now living : Nicolas Lighthall, Rosetta Lighthall, 
James Safely, Janet Safely, John Schoonmaker, Gitty 
Schoonmaker, Abram Weidmau, Elizabeth Weidman, John 
Van Der Werken, Daniel Simmons, William Renwick, 
Isabella Renwick. 

The corner stone of the first church, which stood on the 
same site as the one now in use, was laid on Sept. 4, 1838, 
by Hon. Tunis Van Vechten, mayor of Albany. A hymn 
was sung, composed for the occasion by Rev. Wm. Lock- 
head, first pastor of the church, and prayers were offered by 
Rev. Drs. Yates of Schenectady and Vermilyea, then of the 
North Dutch church, Albany, 

In 1839 the Methodist church was organized by Rev. E. 
Crawford, under direction of Rev. Chas. Sherman. The 
original members were twenty in number, among them being 
Jas. Hemstreet and wife, Joseph Mudge and wife, Mrs. 
Timothy Bailey, James Shannon, Jonas Simmons, Sr., and 
wife, Baltheus Simmons, Mrs. Fuller, Joseph Gould, Sr., 
and wife, Wm. Dodge and wife, Silas Owen, Sr., Gideon 
Longley and Mr. Rhodes. The first services were held in 
the school house on Oneida street, in which the Episcopal 
church bad been organized. 



72 History of Cohoes. 1839. 

In May of the same year, the first Baptist church was 
organized, and the Rev. John Duncan ordained as pastor, 
the sermon of ordination being preached by Rev. I. West- 
cott, of Stillwater, These services were held in Harmony 
Mill, No. 1, and the church as then constituted consisted 
of twenty-four members, of whom Thomas Lansing is the 
sole survivor. Among them were Josiah H. Beach and 
wife, Alanson Cook and wife, Ebenezer Bartlett, wife and 
four children, Mr. and Mrs. Castleton, Peter Link, Rebecca 
Steenberg and Mrs. Duncan. The first deacons were 
Ebenezer Bartlett and Alanson Cook. For nearly a year 
the meetings were held in a boarding house, on the West 
Harmony, and afterwards in a building on Mohawk street, 
below Oneida, recently occupied by Peter Smith. 

On the 10th of August the Presbyterian church was 
established under direction of Rev. Mr. Chamberlin, with 
the following members : Levi Silliman, Mrs. Clarissa Silli- 
man, Timothy Bailey, Joshua Bailey, Joshua Bailey, Jr., 
Mrs. Almira Bailey, Augustus J. Goff, Asahel Goff, Mrs. 
Lucy Goff, Mrs. Melinda Goodsell, Maltby Howell, Mrs. 
Mary Howell, Mrs. Eliza Ann Tremain and Miss Fanny A. 
Hamilton. Of these, only one, Mrs. Clarissa Silliman, 
is now living in Cohoes, and only three are living elsewhere. 
Levi Silliman and Timothy Bailey were chosen to be the 
first elders of the church, and Maltby Howell was chosen 
as deacon. The church was organized in the house of Levi 
Silliman, in the northern half of the house now occupied by 
H. B. Silliman, on Saratoga street. That part of the house 
was not then finished as a dwelling, and could easily ac- 
commodate the infant church. The society then worshiped 
for a time in the building erected for a carpet factory which 
stood on the site of Gregory & Hiller's mill. The first 
church, a small wooden structure, was erected in the fol- 
lowing year, on the northeast corner of Remsen and 
Factory streets. The building, which has since been used 



1840. History of Cohoes. 73 

for a variety of purposes, is still standing, one door east of 
the corner, and is now used as a second-hand store. 

In 1840, also, the Baptist church, was built on Remsen 
street opposite the Presbyterian church, on the site now 
occupied by J. H. Parsons & Co.'s mill. The building 
the cost of which was |521, was afterwards moved to 
Canvass street opposite the Catholic church, and is now 
used as a dwelling. 

In January 1839 the Cohoes Comj^any's dam had been 
severely damaged by a freshet, which washed away about 
three hundred feet of the structure. The work of rebuild- 
ing it was completed during this year at a cost of $40,000, 
Oliver C, Hubbard being one of the contractors. The new 
dam was of timber, filled in with stone and concrete masonry, 
1500 feet long and nine feet high. 

The commercial depression from which the whole country 
suffered about this time was severely felt in Cohoes and 
between 1840 and 1842 the place made slight progress. 
Business of every kind was very dull, and many of the man- 
ufacturing establishments suspended oj)erations. During 
this period the enlarged Erie Canal and the Troy and 
Schenectady Rail Road were in process of construction, and 
these alone kept the village from utter stagnation. The 
presence of numbers of men who were engaged upon them 
gave the neighborhood at times some little air of activity, 
and made brisk a few branches of business. 

By this time quite a number of buildings had been erected 
on Remsen street ; most of them were dwellings, however, 
and there was yet no indication that it would ever become 
a favorite location for business, the universal supposition 
being that as the village increased, Mohawk street, to which 
business was then confined, would continue to be the prin- 
cipal thoroughfare. 

In 1841 the first Methodist church, which stood on the 
west side of the street near the site of the present Clifton 
mill, was completed and was dedicated by Bishop Peck. 
10 



74 History of Cohoes. 1842. 

The building was of wood, cost $550, and had a seating 
capacity of two hundred. The principal buildings on the 
street at this time, aside from the three churches, and the fac- 
tories which were near its intersection with Mohawk street, 
may be briefly mentioned. Between Factory and Oneida 
streets was the dwelling of Mr, Mudge, before mentioned ; 
between Seneca and Ontario streets, on the west side, that 
of Thos. Kitchens, * a contractor on the enlarged canal ; on 
the site of Adams's block was a row of tenements which had 
been erected a few years before by Oliver C. Hubbard ; at 
the northeast corner of Remsen and White streets was the 
block of tenements owned by Egberts & Bailey ; on the 
southeast corner the residence of Jno. P. Steenberg, and on 
the southwest corner that of Jacob I. Lansing, south of which 
was a small house owned by Samuel Cook ; between White 
and Howard streets, on the east side were the residences of 
John Judge(nowMrs. FitzPatrick's) Henry Rockfellow, Mrs. 
Doyle and Jas. Shannon, and on the northwest corner of 
Howard and Remsen streets was that of Chas. O'Brien^ 
Below Howard street, in the region long known as Cork 
Hill, the buildings were unimportant, most of them being 
shanties built and occupied by the laborers on the canal. 
On the corner of Remsen and Columbia streets, however, 
was a building of some size, owned by Patrick Judge. 

The Troy and Schenectady Rail Road, built by the city 
of Troy, was completed in 1842. It was the first rail road 
which at all afi^ected the interests of Cohoes people, though 
not the first in the vicinity, for the one from Saratoga to 
Troy, passing over Adams's Island, had been constructed 
in 1835. Judging from the opposition which was after- 
wards manifested when a second road (the Albany and 
Cohoes ) was proposed, we may conclude that this enter- 
prise met with little approval, especially from those older 



' The building is now owned by Jno. Orelup. It was enlarged and converted 
into a store in 1870. 



1843. History of Cohoes. 75 

inhabitants whose land was called into requisition. At 
all events there is no record that the completion of the road 
was hailed with particular satisfaction, or celebrated by 
any unusual demonstration on the part of the citizens gene- 
rally, though they at once proceeded to avail themselves 
of its advantages. 

During this year the manufacture of bedsteads, which 
has since always been an important branch of Cohoes in- 
dustry, was commenced by Orson Parkhurst.' His factory 
was located in a small building which had been used by 
Egberts and Bailey as a dye house, and was situated be- 
tween their mill and that of Hawes and Baker. The power 
was obtained from a waste weir. All the work of the es- 
tablishment was done by two men, and the quarters were 
so restricted that thei'e was no room for the planing machine, 
which Mr. Parkhurst was compelled to place in the Wil- 
kinson machine shop. 

Another new enterprise was a flouring mill established 
by Messrs. Slocum & Granger in the carpet factory building, 
which they enlarged and remodelled for the purpose. - 

The winter of 1842-43 was one of great severity. An 
unusual depth of snow covered the ground for many months 
and remarkably cold weather continued until the spring 
was well advanced — the date at which the Hudson River 
was opened, April 13, being the latest on record. An ac- 
curate account of the weather in Cohoes was kept by Post- 
master Howe, from which, as containing several interesting 
local allusions, extracts are given below : 

" March \1th. Snow fell this day about ten inches and is 
two feet six inches deep on the level at least in the vicinity 
of Cohoes. The mercury. has several times during this 
month thus far fallen down to zero. 

" 18^A. Koad impassible for sleighs from Cohoes to Troy 



1 The firm afterwards became O. & D. Parkhurst, and later, Parkhutsts & Fullers. 

» The building burned a few years later and the lot remained vacant until the 
bnildiug of Smith, Gregory & Co. 'a mill. 



76 History of Cohoes. 1843. 

on account of snow drifts. The mail was brought from Troy 
on horseback in the forenoon of this day — was forwarded in 
sleigh in the afternoon to Albany. Snow three feet deep 
on the level. 

" 23c?, Snow continued falling all day, high winds and 
cold. Roads impassible in many places. The mail stage 
worked its way down to West Troy and Albany in the 
afternoon. On the return left stage at West Troy and the 
driver and passengers returned thence on horseback. 

" 24:th. Col. F. Lansing and others from his neighborhood 
made out to reach Cohoes this day by shovelling their way. 
Snow on the level between three and four feet deep, and 
continued cold as in February. 

" April '^th. Many of the roads near Cohoes yet impassible. 

11 ^A. Snow is nearly melted away in Mohawk street. 
Town meeting this day at Yearsley's. Some went with 
sleighs, some with wagons and many on foot. The road 
is blocked with snow for two and three and some places 
four feet deep. 

" iWi. This is the most extraordinary season on record; 
the long continuance of winter weather (from the middle of 
November to the middle of April) and the depths of snow 
still lying not only in the country but in our streets, are 
unprecedented." 

The enlarged Erie Canal, which under the direction of 
different contractors had occupied five years in construction, 
was finally completed in 1843, and it then became possible 
to increase the manufacturing facilities of the place. Deeds 
were duly executed, conveying the Cohoes Company's land 
to the state and the abandoned canal to the company, and 
the latter at once commenced operations. That part of the 
canal which ran east of the Harmony Mill, between the 
Two Locks and the Three Locks, became the second 
level, in the system of the Cohoes Company, and may now 
be described as extending from just below the pump-house 
to the jute mill. The level of the Erie Canal between the 
Three Locks and the One Lock (White street) became 
the third of the present system, having been united with 
the old Basin A, at a point near Factory street, and 
the level now extends from above the Strong Mill to the 



1843. History of Cohoes. 77 

rear of the Clifton Mill. The remainder of the canal bed, 
from the latter point to the junction, became by degrees 
filled lip, and some years later became a highway under the 
name of Canal street. 

An important addition this year to the business of the 
place was a second axe and edge tool factory, established 
in February by Messrs. White, Olmstead & Co. The 
firm erected a small building at the head of Remsen street, 
on the site of Griffins' sash factory, and also rented a 
portion of the Wilkinson machine shop. At first but six 
or eight men were employed, but the business increased 
rapidly, and in later years the concern was one of the 
foremost in the place. The senior partner, Miles White, 
had been for some time in the employ of Daniel Simmons 
as ti-aveling agent, and besides a knowledge of the business 
had gained an extensive acquaintance among dealers. 

One of the first firms to take advantage of the improve- 
ments of the Cohoes Company was Egberts & Bailey, 
who commenced the erection of the mill on Ontario street 
(since greatly enlarged) which is now occupied by the Troy 
Manufacturing Company. For the first eight or nine years 
the operations of this firm had been limited ; the machinery 
was not entirely perfected, and it was some time before 
sufficient could be constructed to enable the production of 
goods to any amount. A carefully detailed history of their 
business during this time, showing the discouragements 
which attended the establishment and growth of what is 
now so important a branch of our manufactures, would be 
invaluable. At this date, however, the preparation of such 
a sketch is almost impossible, and of the accounts which 
have been published at different times many have been 
found to be so incorrect that they are not worthy of quota- 
tion. An outline of the liistory is all that can be satisfac- 
torily obtained. The following published in the Bennington 
Banner in Nov. 1870, though inaccurate in some particulars, 
may be of interest: 



78 History of Cohoes. 1843. 

" Twenty-five years ago, the writer, after going through 
as much circumlocution and full as many assurances as are 
required to work one's way into a Masonic Lodge, visited 
the knitting room of Messrs. Egberts & Bailey at Cohoes, 
N. Y., who were then the most extensive and successful and 
almost the exclusive machinery knitters in this countiy. 
Their machinery was an improvement on any then in use 
and was not patented. They preferred keeping it so secret 
that the monopoly which they enjoyed, would be, as it 
proved to be, more profitable and surer to bring them a 
fortune than to run the risks of improvements, infiingements 
and impositions which then, as now, Avere sure to follow 
the public exposure of specifications and explanations neces- 
sary to be made in procuring letters patent. They em- 
ployed only the most reliable workmen, kept their doors 
constantly fastened with spring locks, and allowed no man 
in their knitting room without first putting him under the 
most sacred obligations to diviilge nothing which they 
might lecii'n or ^fi?id within those mystic walls. One Gen. 
Geo. S. Bradford ran the Cohoes mill by contract for two 
years, it being a stipulation in the contract that he should 
not enter the ktiitting room, and he did not until a defection 
on the part of the foreman made it necessary that some 
man should take charge in there. Timothy Bailey who was 
the inventor of the machinery then used, and the foreman 
Van Dwyer who had always ruu it, were the only persons 
who knew anything about it, and although they had come 
to have much confidence in Gen. Bradford's knowledge and 
management of machinery, the company could hardly sup- 
pose that he could run a set of knitters which he had never 
seen, and which were of an entirely diiferent style, and far 
more complicated than the frames since in use, and turn out 
the usual and necessary quantity of goods. The sequel 
proved, as all who have since known the general would ex- 
pect, that he did run it most successfully, and turned out, 
not only an excess over the usual amount of goods, but a 
much improved article. For many years this Cohoes mill 
was the only knitting mill of importance in the country, 
and was claimed to be the only one in the world where all 
the knitting of shirts and drawers was done by machinery." 

The following is from an address delivered in 1866 before 
the National Association of knit goods manufacturers by 
Hon. C. H. Adams, then president of that body : 



1843. History of Cohoes. 79 

" I can remember, among the recollections of my boyish 
days, when the principle of knitting by power was first suc- 
cessfully applied in this country. It was first attained in 
1832, although nothing of importance was accomplished 
until 1841. In those days the inventor and manufacturer, 
now one of our honorary members, was wont to wander 
through the streets of New York, urging the merchants to 
permit him to leave a sample of goods for sale. The whole 
production of that time did not exceed |40,000, now we 
estimate our production at half as many millions." 

For some years, although the production of the mill was 
so slight, it could not all be disposed of in the New York 
market, so part of it was sold in small lots to Troy and 
Albany merchants and among the country stores in the 
vicinity. In Troy, it is said, Mi*. Bailey would go from one 
dry-goods dealer to another, cariying packages of shirts 
and drawers and taking in return for their sale orders pay- 
able in goods, and with these the female opei'atives in the 
mill were paid. 

In time, however, as Egberts & Bailey's goods grew 
into favor, the increased demand made such efforts as these 
unnecessary, and their business became established on a 
sound basis. When the building of the mill was com- 
menced it was in a prosperous condition ; the dullness of 
1840 and 1844, had on the passage of the protective tariff 
act been succeeded by great activity, and during the pre- 
vious year the firm had cleared |22,000. The mill was the 
first in the village, and it is said, in this country, erected 
especially for knitting purposes. The building, which was 
of brick, was originally one hundred and twenty-four by 
forty-five feet, and three stories high. Four sets of ma- 
chinery were put in operation at first, and two more after- 
ward added when the seaming room was comj^leted — 
a brick building twenty-five by seventy feet and two 
and a half stories high, extending to the corner of 
Ontario and Remsen streets. ' The builder of the mill was 



' This was converted into a store by F. E. Pennock in 1859. 



80 History of Cohoes. 1844. 

Joshua R, Clarke, and the wheelwright Jacob I. Lansing. 
Soon after it was finished the partnership was dissolved, 
Timothy Bailey remaining in the Miller building, while Mr. 
Egberts and Joshua Bailey took possession of the new mill. 
When this factory was erected, the Cohoes Company made 
use of the ravine at Ontario street, before mentioned, as a 
water-course; and the first bridge over it on Remsen street? 
a slight wooden structure, was built. The only means of 
crossing it before had been by two planks stretched side by 
side from one bank to the other. 

In 1844 was built the sawing and veneering mill of Wm. 
Burton & Co., who for many years were among the most 
prominent firms of Cohoes. For some time previous Mr. 
Burton had been in business with John M. Tremain, their 
establishment being located in an upper story of the Wilkin- 
son machine shop. ' In this year he bought Mr. Tremain's 
interest, and also the machinery and fixtures of Levi Silli- 
man, who had succeeded Hawes & Baker, thus securing a 
monopoly in Cohoes of that branch of manufacture. The 
building (now occupied as a knitting mill by Thompson & 
Horrocks), was of brick and stone, thirty by sixty feet, and 
had three stories including the basement. An upper story 
was occupied by Parkhurst's bedstead factory. 

From this time there is nothing of importance to be re- 
corded until the year 1846, which was one of marked growth 
in the business interests of the place. Among the most 
important accessions were two establishments for the manu- 
facture of cotton cloth, the largest one being the Ogden 
Mills. The Ogden Mill, No. 1, the foundations of which 
had been laid in 1844, was completed in the following year. 
It was of brick, two hundred and six by fifty-one feet, and 
had three stories and a basement. Directly north of this 
was the No. 2 mill built in 1846, which was two hundred 



> Tremain's predecessor in that building was an Englishman named Mills who had 
commenced the sawing business about 1835. 



1846. History of Cohoes. 81 

and fourteen by fifty-two feet and tliree stories high. These 
buildings have since been united. The two brick blocks 
across the canal west of the mills, were built at the same 
time for the accommodation of the operatives. The pro- 
prietors were Messrs. Tenney & Cowles, of Boston, whose 
agent in Cohoes was Luke Bemis. ' 

The Strong Mill, situated near Mohawk street at the head 
of the Cohoes Company's third level, was built in the latter 
part of the year, by Wm. N. Chadwick. The machinery 
was not put in until the following season. The build- 
ing was of brick, eighty-three by forty-three feet, and 
had three stories and a basement. South of the mill, on 
Mohawk street, were erected three wooden tenements. 
Both of these mills were built by John B. Colgrove, 
then one of the principal carpenters of the place. With 
their completion, cotton manufacture took the foremost 
rank among the industries of Cohoes. The capacity of the 
Harmony Manufacturing Company's mills had been in- 
creased in 1844, The president's report for 1846, contained 
the following account of their transactions : 

" The amount of goods made during the past year are 
53,045 cuts of print cloths, averaging thirty-two yards each, 
containing 1,692,125 yards, showing an increase over the 
products of the preceding year of 5,400 cuts or 172,400 yards 
of cloth. 723 bales, containing 338,786 lbs. of cotton have 
been used during the past year." 

In the spring of the year the Cohoes Worsted Company 
was incori)orated, with a caj^ital of |50,000, and commenced 
the manufacture of carpet and lace yarns in the building 
(on the site of the Star Mill) which had been erected by 
Hawes and Baker. Since this mill was vacated by Levi 
Silliman it had been occupied by Mr. Roy of West Troy 
as a butt factory, and by Alex. Rogers as a woolen mill, 



> In February, 1847, a joint stock company was formed of which the trustees were 
Amos Tenney, John Tenney, Luke BemiB, Robert Curtis and Chas. A. Olmsted. 
Capital $100,000, which was increased February, 1848, to $200,000 and in AprU, 
1850, to $275,000. C A. Olmsted was agent. 
11 



82 History of Cohoes. 1846. 

the latter having possession of it in 1845. The Worsted 
Company built for its operatives the wooden structure on 
the upper end of Remsen street known as the 3Iotislin de 
Laine JBlocJc, which was destroyed in 18*7.3. The agent 
of the company was Wra. Cockroft, who continued in 
business after its faihire, which occurred a short time 
later. ' 

Two new concerns were located in the Wilkinson machine 
shop. On the third floor was the sash and blind factory 
of James Salisbury & Co.,'- the first establishment of 
the kind in the place ; in the fourth story or attic was 
the sofa and cabinet ware manufactory of Jacob Dodge, 
who employed as his superintendent R. T, Briggs. The 
two lower stories of the building, were then occupied 
by White, Olmsted & Co., the Wilkinson machinery 
having been moved by Mr, Olmsted, part to his foundery, 
and the balance to a machine shop which he started in the 
basement of Ogden Mill No. 1. In these two establishments, 
and in the shop of Baldwin and Baker, much of the ma- 
chinery for the Ogden Mill was constructed. 

A new building was erected by Samuel N. Baldwin on 
the corner of Ontario and Remsen streets (now Chadwick's 
Mill), and occupied by him as a machine shop. It was 
completed in the latter part of the year, and the first work 
of importance was the manufacture of machinery for the 
Ogden Mills. The wood work for the looms was made by 
John Baker, who was established in an upper story of the 
building. 

The improvements of the past few years, and the conse- 
quent increase of population had fairly entitled Cohoes to 



1 He subsequently entered into partnership with Richard Hurst and Ephraim 
French. The partnership was dissolved in March, 1854, and the business succeeded 
to Mr. Hurst, who continued it until the premises came into possession of the 
Star Knitting Company. Mr. Cockroft was engaged for some time in the grocery 
business in the store at the junction of Mohawk and Remsen streets, but disposed 
of his interest in 1853, to Geo. Wood. 

' Afterward Loveland and Palmer. 



1847. History of Cohoes. 83 

rank as a growing town, and as such one of her first requi- 
sites was a newspaper. This want was supplied by the 
establishment of The Cohoes Advertiser, a weekly journal, 
the first number of which was issued February 9th, 1847, 
by Ayres & Co. ' The firm was composed of Alexis 
Ayres and Wm. H. S. Winans, two young printers from 
Troy, the editorial department being under control of the 
former. The paj^er was twenty by twenty-eight inches, and 
contained twenty-four columns, about half of which were 
occupied by advertisements. The first and fourth pages 
contained miscellaneous literary matter ; the second page 
was devoted to general news, editorial articles and local 
items — the latter being sadly in the minority. This arrange- 
ment was continued for a number of years, and until com- 
munication with Troy and Albany became easier, and the 
newspapers of those places acquired a large circulation here, 
general news occupied a great part of the local paper. The 
supposition was, doubtless, that as the place was small, 
everybody would know of home matters without being told, 
and would prefer a paper which gave them information of 
the outside world. This deficiency in the local columns, 
though probably satisfactory to the subscribers, is not en- 
tirely so to one who is searching for facts in the early his- 
tory of the place. 

After the establishment of this newspaper, however, the 
growth and history of Cohoes can be much more easily 
followed — valuable information being often found in a mere 
paragraph, or an advertisement ; and as the materials for 
this sketch for ensuing years have been taken almost entirely 
from its files, it would be ungrateful to make any com- 



1 The office of the paper was first established in a building in the south part of 
the Ogdeu mill yard, which has since been removed, and now stands near the rail 
road bridge. In April it was removed to Factory street, " first door below the 
old canal." In July it was again moved to the southwest corner of factory and 
Remsen streets, over the store now occupied by Geo. E. Thompson, and at that 
time by E. G. Mussey. From there it was taken to the Wilkinson building occu- 
pied by White. Olmsted & Co. 



84 History of Cohoes. 1847. 

plaints, especially since it is fair to presume that however 
meager the local columns may have occasionally been, all 
matters of particular importance were recorded. 

The leading article of the first Advertiser was a salutatory, 
over a column in length, in which were stated the politics 
of the proprietors (whig), their motives for establishing 
the paper and their expectations in regard to it. Another 
column was devoted to a comparison of the tariff of 1846 
with that of 1842, with coments on an article which had 
appeared in the Trot/ Budget in regard to the establishment 
of the Ogden mills. There were only two local items, both 
in reference to a fire on Mohawk street, which was thus 
described : 

" On Thursday night last our village was visited by a 
fire which for a time threatened great destruction, but 
through the indomitable exertions of our citizens its 
onward progress was arrested. It originated in a two story 
building, the lower part of which was occupied by ]VIessrs. 
Howe & Ross as a drug store, the upper part by S. H. Foster, 
Esq., and Messrs. Miller & Van Santvoord, attorneys, and 
Dr. Goss, as dentist. The building was owned by the 
Cohoes Company, and not insured. Howe &> Ross were 
insured for about 1900. S. H. Foster, Esq., loss about |200, 
no insurance. Messrs. Miller & Van Santvooi'd's loss about 
$1000, no insui'ance. Dr. Goss's loss llOO, no insurance. 
The fire soon communicated with the post office building 
owned by D. W. Leland, Esq. The contents of the 
oflice were saved — building insured in the Saratoga Co. 
Mutual for |300. Here the progress of the flames, which 
for a time threatened destruction to a row of wooden build- 
ings south, was arrested by the persevering exertions of our 
citizens, ,who with ropes and axes succeeded in razing it to 
the ground, preventing its further extension." The Cohoes 
advertisers~in this number were as follows : 

Lawyers : S. H. Foster, Miller & Van Santvoord. 

Dealers in Dry Goods and Groceries : Wm. H. HoUister 
& Co., Caw & Quackenbush, White, Olmsted & Co., Jones 
& Southworth, Jno. P. Steeuberg, P. Kendrick & Son, F. 
"W. Farnam, J. G. Burnap, W. D. Russell & Co., Patrick 
Mc Entee. 



1847. History of Cohoes. 85 

Clothing^ etc. : E. C. Howe, Twining & Alden, Waring 
& Robbins. 

/Stoves, etc. : John D. Luffmjin. 

Drugs, etc. : Howe & Ross. 

Cohoes Hotel : Robert Williams. 

Dentist : O. P. Yates. 

Axes, etc. : White, Olmsted & Co. 

Cohoes Foundery : Chas. A. Olmsted. 

Cabinet Ware : Jacob Dodge. 

Of these business men only one, Isaac Quackenbush, is 
now remaining in the place. 

In the next issue, a number of new advertisers appeared, 
among them Wm. Burton & Co., saw mill, John M. Coon, 
boots and shoes, James G. Foster, leather, and A. L. 
Phelps, hair dresser. 

The editor announced his intention, in the issue of Feb. 
2;3d, of publishing a series of articles on the "History and 
Manufactures of Cohoes, from its earliest infancy," and 
added " We shall have no objection to mix witli it a bit of 
the romantic, and for that pui-i)ose invite the ladies of our 
village to exercise their imaginations in penning a tale of 
' love and daring' by some Indian maid of the Valley of 
the Mohawk." Several prizes were offered for contributions 
of this kind, but none ever appeared. The articles on the 
manufactures were published, however, and afford us an 
interesting glimpse of the state of Cohoes industry at that 
time. The first of the series, from which extracts are given 
below, appeared March 9th. 

" The oldest inhabitant informs us that when he came to 
this place, sixteen years ago, the number and quality of the 
buildings Avere neither worth computing or placing a value 
upon. There were five tenements constructed of the most 
rude material, and in the one story building now occupied 
as the justice's office (the Richard Heamstreet tavern), he 
obtained his board and lodging until he secured a honie in 
the suburbs. This was only sixteen years ago ; now, with its 



86 History of Cohoes, 1847. 

magnificent water power improved, extensive manufactories, 
behold, how great the change. While its sister village of 
Waterford has hardly held its own, Cohoes has been ex- 
tending its borders until it now boasts of a population of 

4,000 The first cotton factory was built in 1837. 

There are now 4 extensive cotton factories, 2 factories 
for making cotton and woolen shirts and drawers, 1 factory 
for making worsted yarn and mouselin de laine, 2 extensive 
axe factories, 2 grist mills, 1 saAv mill for making veneer 
and looking glass backs, 1 paper mill, 1 iron foundry, 1 
paint mill, 2 machine shops, 1 bedstead factory, 1 sofa 
factory, 1 scythe and edge tool factory. Axes and edge 
tools are also manufactured at the extensive manufactories 

of Messrs. Simmons and White, Olmsted & Co The 

increase in population during the last year is about 1000. . . . 

"There are now in Cohoes 15 stores and groceries, two 
stove and tin ware establishments, 2 drug stores, 3 clothing 
stores, 1 leather store, 1 dentist, 4 physicians, 3 lawyers, 5 
places of public worship, 1 large hotel, 2 shoe stores." 

The figures given in descriptions of the different establish- 
ments, which were published during the next few weeks, 
are quoted below. A comparison of them with the indus- 
trial statistics of the present day is interesting, as affording 
one of the best means of judging the growth of the place. 

"The Harmony Mill has nearly 8,000 mule and throstle 
spindles and 220 looms in operation, producing over 1,500,000 
yards of printing cloths annually. The annual consumption 
of cotton is over VOO bales averaging 450 lbs. each ; 250 to 
260 operatives are employed in this factory, of whom about 
60 or 70 are girls occupied in the weaving rooms. Up- 
wards of |3,000 are disbursed monthlj-^ to operatives alone. 

" The Strong Mill has 2,700 spindles which supply yarn for 
80 looms. The annual production is estimated at 750,000 
yards. The number of hands employed is 69. The con- 
sumption of cotton is nearly 300 bales per year." 

" The Ogden Mill, No. 1, contains 7,000 spindles (self actor 
mule), and 180 looms. Warp No. 30, filling No. 32, 70 
ends warp and 78 picks filling to the inch. 20,000 yards of 
41 and 36 inch goods are manufactured weekly. About 
5,500 lbs. cotton used weekly. No. 2 mill contains 8,500 
mule and throstle spindles and 200 looms, and will when in 



1847. History of Cohoes. 87 

full operation turn out 3,500 yards weekly. 250 hands are 
now employed in each mill. Pay roll about $3,000 monthly 
for each mill. 

" The Cohoes Iron Foundry. Mr. Olmsted now employs 
in these works about 00 operatives. 

" Dodge's Sofa Manufactory. This establishment is capable 
of manufacturing from 15 to 20 sofas per week. 

" Simmons's Axe and Edge Tool Manufactory, About 200 
men are employed in this manufactory, and when on their 
way to and from their work look like an army. 600 tons of 
iron and 100 tons of cast steel are manufactured up yearly, 
and 1,200 tons of coal are consumed, 50 doz, axes besides 
tools, are manufactured daily. 

" Messrs. White, Olmsted & Co. now employ about 60 
men and are making from 250 to 300 axes per day. 

Messrs. 0. andD. Parkhurst's Bedstead Factory is capable 
of manufacturing from 100 to 150 bedsteads per week, 
from the common rope bedstead to the most finished article 
in use. 

" Sash and Blind Factory, by Jas. Salisbury & Co. They 
enjoy facilities for making sash for 50 windows per day, 
and a proportionate number of Venetian shutter blinds. 
From 6 to 8 men are employed, 

" The Cohoes Worsted Co, The number of spindles in 
operation is 2,000, Combing machines 2, 30 men are em- 
ployed in combing by hand. The whole number of opera- 
tives emj^loyed is 130, Amount paid per month |1,000. 
500 lbs, of wool are manufactured up per day. 

William Burton employs 8 or 9 hands, 

" The Cohoes Knitting Factory, by Timothy Bailey. Mr, 
B, employs about 50 operatives. In this factory are 18 
knitting frames in operation, 800 spindles and 3 sets of 
cards. About 1800 pairs sliirts and drawers can be manu- 
factured per week by this machinery, Aboiit 1000 lbs, 
wool and the same amount of cotton are manufactured up 
each week. Egberts & Bailey work up about 400 lbs, 
wool a day employing about 250 operatives," 

A creditable feature of the early numbers of the Adver- 
tiser was the poetical column, sustained by local talent. 
The chief contributors were S. H. Foster, for years a promi- 
nent lawyer of the place, and Wm. G, Caw, of the firm of 
Caw & Quackenbush. 



88 History of Cohoes. 1847. 

In the issue of April 2'7th is first mentioned the Young 
Men's Association, an organization which had been formed 
a short time previous and afterwards became a prominent 
institution of the place. Its objects were the formation of 
a library, and the support of a lecture course, in which it 
had a fair degree of success. The officers, as elected this 
year, were : Luke Bemis, president ; Henry D. Fuller, first 
vice president; Geo. Abbott, second vice president; Jacob 
W. Miller, corresponding secretary; Andrew Alexander, 
recording secretary ; Joshua R. Clarke, treasurer. Managers : 
J. M. Brown, H. En Earl Jr., Wm. Leckie, Daniel McEl- 
wain, Charles O'Brien, S. H. Foster, J. Van Santvoord, C. 
A. Olmsted, C. A. Stevens, Dai-ius Parkhurst, Wm. H, 
S.Winans. 

The first allusion in the columns of the paper to means 
of communication between Cohoes and Troy was the follow- 
ing advertisement : 

" CoHOES AND Troy Rail Road. 
New arrangement. 
On and after March 10th, the cars on this road will run 
as follows : 

Leave Cohoes Leave Troy 

i— 6 V— i 

i— 8 10— J 

\—\\ 1 

J— 2 6 

5— i- 6^ 

Perham and Pettis' 
Cohoes, March 7, 1847." 
This Cohoes and Troy Rail Road was an institution estab- 
lished several years after the opening of the Troy and 
Schenectady road. Perham and Pettis, who had succeeded 
the Messrs. Fuller as proprietors of the stage line in 184.3, 
made an arrangement with the rail road officials by which 
an extra car was attached to the westward bound trains. 



' The fare, as stated in a later advertisement, was 634 cts. to Troy and 185!£ cts. to 
Albany. 



1847. History of Coiioes. 89 

This car was dropped at Cohoes, and as the grade was heavy 
between here and Troy, could be started on the downward 
trip by simply loosening the brakes, and would acquire 
sufficient momentum to carry it to the Troy bridge ; it was 
then drawn to the station by horses. This method of travel 
proved popular, and the investment doubtless paid. In the 
Advertiser of July 6, it was stated that "1700 passengers 
were carried over the Cohoes and Troy Rail Road yester- 
day." Beside the above route Messrs. Perham and Pettis 
kept possession of the stage line, and for some time enjoyed 
a monopoly of the business. On June 8th, the following 
advertisement appeared : 

" Cohoes and Albany, Sumjier Arrangement." 

Mail Stages. 

The subscribers have placed upon the route a new and 
commodious stage with four horses and will run for the 
accommodation of passengers as follows: Leave Cohoes post 
office at Ij p. M. Leave Albany Museum at 4 p. m. Fare 
25 cents, 

Perham and Pettis." 

However restricted in former years, Cohoes people appear 
now to have had abundant facilities for travel. Another 
stage line was announced soon after as follows : 

« CLEAR THE TRACK ! 

New Mail Line. 

Waterford, Cohoes, West Troy and Albany — 

The undersigned having fitted up a neat coach for the 
accommodation of the traveling public, and also for carrying 
the mail, respectfully gives notice that he will, on and after 
the 5th of October, run as follows: 
Leave Cohoes for West Troy at 8 a, m., returning at 9 a, m. 

" " " Waterford at 10 A. m., returning at 12^. 

" " at li p. M., passing through West Troy at 

2 p. M, 
Returning, will leave Albany at 4 p. m. 
12 



90 History of Cohoes. 1847. 

Fare from Waterford to Albany, 25 cts. 

" " Cohoes " " 25 " 

" « " " Troy 12^cts. 

" " Troy " Albany, 12 ^cts. 

The undersigned trusts that by punctuality and a fervent 
desire to please, to merit a share of public patronage. 

James Hubbard. 
Cohoes, Sept. 29, 1847." 

The project of connecting Van Schaick's Island with Co- 
hoes, which has been but recently carried out, has been 
under discussion for many years. One of the earliest sug- 
gestions on record in regard to it is the following from the 
Advertiser Nov. 14 : 

" Some time since we called the attention of the people 
to a proposed route for a railway between here and Troy 
which would cost comparatively a small sum. The route 
was to connect Van Schaick's Island to the main land at a 
point east of the Dutch church by means of an open bridge, 
and thvis reach the line of the Saratoga and Troy rail road. . . . 
The cheapness of this route and the fact of its decreasing 
the present traveled distance between our village and Troy, 
with which city our business relations are so extensive, are 
conclusive in its favor," 

The citizens of Cohoes have always responded liberally 
to any call for aid to those in need, and the sufferings of the 
Irish people from the famine of this year, for the relief of 
whioh so much was done in this country, did not pass un- 
noticed here. An Irish Relief Association was formed, 
which raised money sufficient for the purchase of fifty bar- 
rels of meal, which were sent to the sufferers. The follow- 
ing report, from G. J. Slocum, who furnished the meal, 
shows the amounts contributed by different individuals as 
chairmen of cominittees, etc. 

D. P. McDonald, |33 00 

Michael Donovan, 14 00 

J. M. Brownson, 3 50 

H. D. Fuller, 21 75 

G.J. Slocum, 8 00 



1847. History of Cohoes. 91 

H. EnEarl, 3 00 

C. A. Olmsted, 37 50 

Miles White, 23 50 

Geo. Abbott, 2 50 

Mr. Connaughty, 1 00 

Luke Bemis, 62 50 

Egberts & Bailey, 8 00 

Egbert Egberts, 20 00 



$238 25 
A fire on the morning of Nov. 28th, destroyed the paint 
mill belonging to Jeremiah Clute, ' situated near Courtland 
street east of Mohawk, at a loss of $2,000. The Advertiser 
took occasion to again urge the necessity of the organization 
of a fire department, saying that if it had not been for 
several inches of snow which fell during the previous night 
severe damage would have been done to adjacent property. 
An important addition to the religious bodies of Cohoes, 
was St. Bernard's Catholic church, oi-ganized in the early 
part of the year, by Rev. Bernard Van Reeth, a Belgian. 
Mass was first said in an old shop, located on what was 
then known as the JPlats, and later, the services were held 
in a carpenter's shop on the east side of Remsen street, just 
below Howard. This building has since been moved to the 
rear of the block now owned by Wm. Ilealey, and is now 
used as a dwelling. The Catholics in Cohoes, of all nation- 
alities, numbered at that time 300. 

The corner stone of the church was laid Nov. 18th by 
Bishop McCloskey, assisted by Rev. Father Van Reeth and 
several other clergymen. The Advertiser, after describing 
the ceremony, said : " We congratulate our citizens in the 
prospect of having another handsome building to adorn our 



' This mill had not been long established. Another was soon afterward built by 
Mr. Clute on the bank of a ravine about half way between the Cataract House and 
the present East Harmony school-house. This was burned Feb. 21, 1850. and then 
rebuilt, and then again burned March 3, 1852. 



92 History of Cohoes. 1847. 

village. We understand that the new church is to be a 
gothic structure forty-five by eighty feet, with a tower and 
spire. For ourselves, we wish the projectors every success." 
During the year about forty buildings — stores and dwell- 
ings — were erected ; many of them being on Remsen street* 
which within a short time had considerably increased in 
importance. During 1846, the residence of Ltike Bemis 
(now S, A. Becker's) on the corner of Seneca and Remsen 
streets, and the store and dwelling of W. H. Hollister, on 
the northeast corner of Remsen and Oneida streets, had 
been built ; the principal additions in the following year 
were the Granite Hall Block, built by Mr. Baker, corner of 
Ontario and Remsen streets ; the block of Caw & Quack- 
enbush, southwest corner of Oneida and Remsen streets, 
and the building adjoining it owned by Miller & Van 
Santvoord, the two last named now forming Silliman's Block. 
Another important structure, was a four story building, 
forty by one hundred feet, erected by H. C, Billings of 
Schenectady, just north of Seneca street, on the site of 
Johnston's Block. This was used as a hotel, the ground 
floor being occupied by stores, and the upper story as a 
public hall. It was to be called the Claxton Hotise, after 
Col. F. S. Claxton, agent of the Cohoes Company, but the 
name finally adopted was the Van Mensselaer House. It 
was described in the Advertiser, as " similar to the Delavan 
House, in^ Albany." " This," said the editor, " in addition 
to the buildings of Mr. Baker, Miller & Van Santvoord 
and Caw & Quackenbush, the new Presbyterian and 
Methodist churches, will render Remsen street the Broad- 
way of Cohoes." 

In the rear of the hotel Mr. Billings commenced the erec- 
tion of a factory, in later years known as the Mohawk Mill, 
the first story of which was completed in the latter part of 
the year, but for some reason the building was not finished 
until some time after. 



1847. History of Cohoes. 93 

Other new structures were the bedstead factory of Messrs. 
Parkhurst, a brick building thirty-five by seventy feet, and 
three stories high, which stood near the north end of the 
present jute mill ; a brick store on the opposite side of the 
street owned by Wm. N. Chadwick, which the editor de- 
scribed as the "handsomest store in the village," and a brick 
school house on the corner of Canvass and Oneida streets, 
which was built by A. L. Ferguson. Its erection was pro- 
cured mainly through the efforts of Messrs. J. W. Miller and 
C A. Olmsted, then school trustees.' Preparations were 
also made by F. W. Farnam for the erection of the three 
story brick store on Mohawk street, foot of Factory, which 
now forms part of North's Block. A small wooden store on 
its site, which had been occupied by the Messrs. Fuller, was 
moved to the south corner of Reinsen street and St. John's 
alley, and used by J. M. Brown as a shoe store. It is now 
owned and occupied by Mrs. Ira Terry. These improve- 
ments, indicating a good degree of prosperitj^, were made 
the subject of frequent congratulations by the editor of the 
Advertise)'. One article, entitled " Cant Help Crowing," 
after stating that " Cohoes and ii/iprovement are synony- 
mous " and enumerating the buildings then in progress, 
concluded as follows : 

" Now for a village charter — for the water works — three 
or four good engines — clean streets — and a law limiting the 
number of dogs in each family to two, a law also prohibit- 
ing swine running at large, and we are a made community." 

' This building remained in use until March, 1871, when it was sold to A. J. 
Griffin, who converted it into a dwelling house. 



94 History of Cohoes. 1848. 



YI. 

1848 TO 1854. 



Si 



lIlSrCE 1840, there had been a wonderful increase in 
the activity of Cohoes. The establishment of two large 
cotton factories, a new knitting mill, and a number of mis- 
cellaneous concerns added greatly to the population and 
business importance of the place. The hamlet of fifteen 
years before, containing a score of houses, had now become 
a thriving village, with every prospect of rapid growth ; 
its development, after a long struggle, was well under way, 
and the time had come for the inhabitants to take measures 
for its systematic organization and improvement. 

The necessity of incorporating the village had been for 
some time felt by many citizens, but the project was 
agitated for a year or more before the general feeling in its 
favor was strong enough to carry it into effect. 

In April 1847, the six weeks notice for application to the 
legislature for a charter was filed, but nothing further was 
accomplished. Agitation of the matter continued during 
the year, and it was made the subject of numerous articles 
in the Advertiser setting forth the benefits which would 
result from incorporation. The following is a specimen: 

" The annual tax consequent upon it is nothing in com- 
parison with its manifold advantages. We should then have 
comfortable and convenient sidewalks and not be subjected 
to the disagreeable necessity of traveling through mud, 
ankle deep, or being ship-wrecked in any one of the many 
ditches and puddles which are too abundant by half, or of 
being brought up " all standing," as the term is, against 
some stump or post placed out of line. In the event of 
being incorporated, some little degree of pride would be 
evinced by our law makers, and an efficient Fire Depart- 
ment would be organized. Send in the petitions, then ; 
press them upon the attention of the legislature, and let us 
have some laws by which to be governed in future, the 



1848. History of Coiioes. 95 

observance of which will tend to beautify and improve the 
appearance of our growing village." 

Such ap^Jeals from the editor, and the continued efforts 
of the friends of incorporation seem to have had their effect. 
A meeting of the electors at the hotel was called Feb. 3d, 
of which notice was given in the paper as follows : " Reader, 
dear reader, dear indulgent reader, in view of the past let 
us do somethinof for the future. There is to be a meetinsr 
to-morrow evening at mine host Williams's to take into con- 
sideration the first steps towards getting a charter for this 
village. Several worthy individuals have been missing 
during this latter " thaw." Come to the meeting, and go it 
strong for a charter or a line of life boats." 

The following is a copy of the proceedings of this meet- 
ing : " Chas. A. Olmsted was appointed chairman, and 
Leonard Van Dercar secretary. 

" The secretary then read part of the act relating to in- 
corjjorations. John Van Santvoord, Esq., submitted the 
following resolution- which was adopted : 

" Jiesolved, That in the opinion of this meeting it is expedi- 
ent that we take the necessary steps to incorporate the 
village of Cohoes. 

" On motion of Egbert Egberts, Esq., that a committee of 
five be appointed by the chair to take the necessaiy steps 
for the incorporation, the chair appointed as such committee 
Egbert Egberts, Wm. N. Chadwick, John Van Santvoord, 
Jeremiah Clute, and Henry D. Fuller. It was moved and 
adopted that the chairman, Chas. A. Olmsted, be added to 
the committee, and that the committee have discretionary 
power to determine on the boundary of such charter and 
also to call further meeting." 

The matter was then pressed rapidly forward, and the 
charter was drawn up by John Van Santvoord, who had 
been from the first one of the most active men in its favor. 

A map of the territory to be incorporated (now on file in 
the county clerk's oftice) was made by John P. Steenberg, 
April 15th, in which the area of the village is given in 
1603.22 acres. On June 5th the application for incor- 



96 History of Cohoes. 1848. 

poration was granted by the court of sessions at Albany, 
which appointed as inspectors of election, to canvass the 
vote of the electors upon the measure, Chas. A. Olmsted, 
Origen S. Brigham and Alfred Phelps. The election was 
held on the 1st July with the following result : 

In favor, 346 

Against, 26 



3V2 
The first charter election was held at the Cohoes Hotel a 
week later. The officers voted for were : five trustees, 
three assessors, a treasurer, collector, clerk, and poundmaster. 
The number of voters was 521. The first session of the 
trustees was held Aug. 4th, in Miller & Van Santvoord's 
law office on Remsen street, which was the place of meeting 
until the completion of the engine house in the following 
year. 

Almost the first business done by the trustees was to 
take steps for the organization of a fire department. IJp 
to 1847 the village had enjoyed a singular exemption from 
fires, but the occurrence of several disastrous conflagra- 
tions during that year awoke the citizens to the necessity 
of being better provided for accidents of this kind. Ac- 
cordingly Miles White went to Albany, and on his own 
responsibility borrowed from the authorities an old hand- 
engine — No. 6 in the Albany department — which had been 
discai-ded because unfit for use. A small amount was spent 
in repairs, and the machine was brought to Cohoes, and 
though by no means in good working order, was used for 
some time. The only fii-e apparatus prior to this of which 
Cohoes could boast was a small rotary hand engine called 
the Excelsior Xo. 1, which had been purchased in 1834 
or 1835 by subscriptions from a number of citizens, among 
whom were Joshua R. Clarke, Oliver Hubbard and David 
Wilkinson. Its insignificance may be inferred from the 
fact that in a report made to the trustees on the condition 



1848. History of Coiioes. 97 

of the fire department, it was stated that " your committee 
would report that they cannot find the Excelsior engine 
No. 1." The machine had done good service, however, con- 
sidering its size and power, for a number of years, and at 
one time was the means of checking a large fire in Water- 
ford which threatened to consume the entire village. In 
later years, however, it was treated with a contempt which 
the memory of its past services should have restrained, and 
was kicked about from one place to another, the plaything 
of several generations of boys.' 

After the fire on Mohawk street which is chronicled in 
the first number of the Advertiser it became evident that 
the village fire apparatus was greatly deficient, and a meet- 
ing of the citizens at the hotel was accordingly called for 
the purpose of arranging for better protection. A com- 
mittee consisting of Luke Bemis, Egbert Egberts, Miles 
White, H. D. Fuller, G. A. Slocum, L. S. Fonda, Wm. N. 
Chadwick, Chas. A. Olmsted, S. F. Wilson and W. H. S. 
Winans was appointed to take the necessary steps and 
Luke Bemis was chosen to act as chief engineer in case of 
the occurrence of a fire. The result of this meeting was 
the purchase by Messrs. Fuller, Wilkinson and Olmsted of 
the Cataract hand engine, and the formation of a com- 
pany, of which 11. D. Fuller was captain. An entrance fee of 
$3 was charged each member, and the proceeds were devoted 
to the purchase of a hose-cart. 

On August 11th, 1848, it was resolved "that the corpo- 
rate authorities of the village of Cohoes purchase from S. 
Wilkinson, G. T. Olmstead and H. D. Fuller the fire engine, 
hose carriage and hose purchased by them from L. Button 
& Co., and to pay to them or their order the sum of |675." 
The department was regularly organized at the meeting 



> It is said that the wheels and axles of the old engine are still in existence and 
form part of a cart used in moving iron about Morrison, Colwell & Page's mill. 

13 



98 



History of Cohoes. 



1848. 



of Oct. 4, 1848, from the minutes of which the following 
is an extract : 

" Resolved^ That two fire companies be organized in this 
village for the extinguishment of fires, and that one of the 
said companies be known and styled as the Parmelee Engine 
Co., No. 2, and that the otlier company be styled Cataract 
Engine Co., No. 3,i and that said companies be composed 
of not more than fifty men each. 

" Mesolved, That the engine known as Excelsior Engine 
No. 1, be placed in charge of the fire wardens to be and to 
remain under their direction and control, subject to the 
action of the trustees. 

" On motion of Mr. Abbott, the following were appointed 
members of Cataract Engine Company No. 3 : 



Wm. T. Palmer, 
Samuel Wilkinson, 
Chas. E. St. John, 
Henry E. Kobbins, 
Heniy L. Landon, 
Julius Robbins, 
Patrick H. Moore, 
Wm. Green, 
John Van DerMark 
Wm. Ferrell, 
Joseph Hahn, 
Alexander Hay, 
Joseph M. Brown, 
Marcus S. Deyo, 
George Jackson, 
Alonzo Wilmot, 

The followino; of Parmelee No 



John Eastwood, 
S. M. Swart, 
Jacob I. Lansing, 
Isaac D. Ayres, 
Sherman D. Fairbank, 
Thos. H. Kendrick, 
Joseph B. Prescott, 
Wm. Manning, 
Lucien Fitts, 
I. F, Overpaugh, 
Wm. H. Doty, 
John P. Warwick, 
George W. Miller, 
Darius Parkhurst, 
Wm. B. Barrett. 



Jacob J. Lansing, 

Wm. L, Freeman, 

Jos. C. Kittle, 

J. H. Johnson, 

Wm. H. Van Der Werken, 

Henry Hall, Jr., 

John A. Miller, 

Benjamin Franklin, 

The Parmelee Engine Company took charge of the Albany 



Malachi Ball, 
Alex. McCalla, 
A. F. Rockwell, 
Wm. Shannon, 
John McEnerny, 
Herman D. Felthousen, 
John Van Santvoord." 



' On petition of the company the name was in 1850 changed to No. 1. 



1848. History of Coiioes, 99 

machine, which became No. 2, in the Cohoes department, 
and when this was returned in August of the following 
year, the company "ran with" the old Excelsior No. 1, 
chiefly for the purpose of creating a little healthful opposi- 
tion. Arrangements were soon after made for an engine 
house. A report was submitted to the trustees Oct. 16, 
that "Mr. John Hays offers to sell to the village a lot 
twenty-five by thirty situated near the Methodist church 
for $350," and at the next meeting the president was 
authorized to purchase it. The price paid was $312, of 
which $112 were paid down and bonds of |100 each, paya- 
ble in one and two years, executed for the balance. 

The building (which is now occupied by the Campbell 
Hose Company), was erected in the same year by Henry 
Van Auken, the contract price being 1750. Until its com- 
pletion the Cataract was kept in a shed belonging to 
the Cohoes Company on Mohawk street on the site of Bil- 
brough's Mill. A barn which stood on the east side of 
Remsen street, south of Factory street, was also used for 
an engine house, the Excelsior having been kept there for 
some time. 

In February of this year, the village paper changed hands, 
Alexis Ayres retiring, and his place being taken by Isaac 
D. Ayres, formerly of the Troy Telegraph. It was pub- 
lished for the next year under the title of the Cohoes Journal. 
The files during that time unfortunately cannot be obtained; 
which is especially to be regretted, since the incorporation 
of the village, the organization of a fire department, the 
construction of water works, and other important local mat- 
ters doubtless furnished abundant material for interesting 
discussion. 

The question of supplying the village with water by 
means of the Cohoes Company's Canal had been agitated 
during 1847. The first public movement in the matter was 
in response to the following: 



100 History of Cohoes. 1848. 

Notice, 

" The occupants of dwellings in this village are requested 
to meet at the Cohoes Hotel, Wednesday Eve, next, 23d 
inst., at 8 o'clock, to ascertain what encouragement can be 
given to the Cohoes Company for the establishment of hy- 
drants in the principal streets and the introduction of water 
from their Summit Canal into the dwellings of those who 
desire it. 

Chas. A, Olmsted, L. Bemis, 

Wm, P. Israel Jr., H. Howe, 

Egberts & Bailey, Miles White, 

J. Van Santvoord, Sam'l Wilkinson, 

F. W. Farnam, John D. Luffman, 

O. & D. Parkhurst, H. D. Fuller. 

Dated Cohoes, June 19, 1847." 

The result of this and subsequent meetings was an agree- 
ment, prepared in September, between the citizens and the 
Cohoes Company in which were stated the terms and con- 
ditions upon which the latter would commence operations. 
This was signed by a large number of citizens. The work 
was completed in 1848, and pipes were laid through the 
principal streets under the direction of Col. F. S, Claxton. 
The water was drawn from the Cohoes Company's upper 
level, the reservoir being near the point in the canal from 
which the water for Harmony Mill No. 2 is now taken. 

A rail road between Albany and Cohoes had been talked 
of for some years. A movement in its favor had been made 
as early as 1846, but it met with some opposition, as appears 
from the following remonstrance to the legislature which 
was signed by a number of Cohoes citizens: 

" The undersigned citizens of Cohoes in the county of 
Albany respectfully remonstrate against any act authorizing 
any rail road either to or through the village of Cohoes. 
Our citizens are generally ojjposed to the project, for the 
following among other reasons: 

" 1st. Such a rail road is entirely unnecessary. 

" 2d. The object is to divert the trade from a growing 
country village to an already opulent city. 



1848. History of Cohoes. 101 

" 3d. The village is already cnt up with roads and canals. 

" 4th. The effect would be to depreciate the value of pro- 
perty in the village and vicinity. 

" 5th. A rail road would be a great inconvenience to the 
farming community and needlessly expose property and life. 

" 6th. It is a project for the exclusive benefit of a large 
city without regard to the interests or convenience to the 
community in general who ride along the route of the pro- 
posed road. All of which is respectfully submitted. 

"Cohoes, February 28, 1846." 

In the following year a bill incorporating a company was 
introduced, but nothing came of it. 

In the winter of 1848 the Albany and Cohoes Rail 
Road Company was formed, the following commissioners 
being named in the bill : John Stewart and John Cramer of 
Waterford ; Hugh White and Egbert Egberts of Cohoes ; 
David Hamilton and Wm. N. Chadwick of Watervliet ; Jas. 
Horner, C. Van Benthuysen, S. Stevens, J. L. Schoolcraft, 
J. K. Paige, J. D. Wasson, Jas. Edwards, E. P. Prentice, 
Archibald McClure, Theo. Olcott, Wra. Smith, Peter 
Cagger, Ellis Baker, James Kidd and Stephen Van Rensse- 
laer of Albany. The capital stock of the company was 
$250,000 divided into shares of $50 each. After many de- 
lays its books were opened for subscriptions, but the stock 
did not sell readily, and the company accomijlished no more 
than its predecessors. 

A number of new buildings were erected during the year, 
prominent among them being the new Methodist and Pres- 
byterian churches. The former was a brick building, on 
Remsen street, on the site of the present church, and cost 
$12,000. The Presbyterian church on Seneca street (which 
has been greatly enlarged) was built by Joshua R. Clarke 
at a cost of $5,500, the lot, valued at $2,000, having been 
presented to the society by the Cohoes Company. 

Among the additions to the business of the place was a 
machine shop in which steam power was used, established 



102 History of Cohoes. 1849. 

by Doncaster and Hay, on Rerasen street, below Columbia, 
near the site of the residence of Wm. T. Horrobin. The 
firm did not continue long in business. 

On January 1st, 1849, the village paper came into the 
possession of Chauncey Stow, Horace B. Silliman and Stephen 
C. Miller, who conducted the business under the firm name 
of C. Stow & Co., until March, when, on retirement of Mr. 
Stow, the firm became Silliman & Miller. Messrs. Stow 
& Co. changed the name of the paper to that which it 
now bears, The Cohoes Cataract, and made several altera- 
tions in its arrangement. On the first page, between the 
words " Cohoes " and " Cataract " appeared a woodcut of 
the Falls, with the motto underneath, " Goes sparkling, 
dashing, foaming on," The editorial column on the second 
page was embellished by another cut, representing the in- 
terior of the sanctum, in which three very jovial looking 
gentlemen (supposed to be the editors) were seen sitting at 
a table, which was covered with Avriting materials. The 
columns on the same page, devoted to news items, editorial 
notes, etc., were headed with titles appropriate to the 
name of the paper, such as Cataract Foam, Floating 
Straws and Drift- Wood. 

There appear to have been few local events of importance 
during the year, and the editors were indebted to the streets 
and sidewalks for many an item. Complaints in regard to 
their bad condition with humorous or sarcastic comments, 
and appeals to the authorities to have railings erected in 
dangerous localities, were a prominent feature of the j^aper. 

With the labor of perfecting the organization of the 
village government the trustees had found time during 1848, 
to do but little, except the establishment of a fire depart- 
ment, towards accomplishing those results which the editor 
of the Advertiser had hoj^ed would follow incorporation. 
In the succeeding year, however, they were able to devote 
more attention to general improvements. M. McKernan 



1849. History of Cohoes. 103 

was aiDpointed engineer, and under his direction grades were 
established for streets and sidewalks throughout the village. 

A number of streets were opened and declared public 
highways according to his surveys, among them Remsen, 
Pine and White streets and Trojan, Rock, and Cataract 
alleys. 

The following list of moneys necessary to meet the ex- 
penses of the village for the year, which was voted for at 
the electors' meeting, in March, affords an interesting con- 
trast to the city budgets of the present time : 

1. "For the second installment of the purchase 

moneys of the Engine Lot, $100 oO 

2. For 1 year's interest on the village bonds given 

for the balance unpaid on the Engine Lot, 14 00 

3. For furnishing and painting Engine house, 200 00 

4. For furnishing Engine house and Trustees' 

Room with stoves, pipe and furniture, 75 00 

5. For the hire of barn for safe keeping of Engine 

No. 3, 20 00 

6. For paying expenses of the Fire Department,... 15 00 

7. For an additional hose cart, 40 00 

8. For the completing the establishment of grades 

for sidewalks, 100 00 

9. For the expenses of laying cross walks, 100 00 

10. For the compensation of the village assessors 

for the next year, 25 00 

11. For the compensation of the village clerk for 

the next year, 50 00 

12. For the compensation of the street commis- 

sioners for the next year, 50 00 

13. For printing, 75 00 

14. For books and stationery, 10 00 

15. For paying the expenses of the annual meeting 

for 1849, and of special meetings, 25 00 

16. For a fund for paying the expenses of enforc- 

ing the laws and other contingent expenses, 50 00 

17. For the annual rent of water for fire hydrants, 25 00 

18. For the fund for the compensation of the 

collector at 4 ^^er centum for the next year, 44 00 
And which said several sums in the whole amount to ten 
hundred and ninety (1,090) dollars." 



104 History of Cohoes. 1849. 

The prevalence of the cholera during the summer caused 
some uneasmess, and several precautionary measures were 
taken by the trustees. The first Board of Health, appointed 
June 11th, in accordance with a proclamation hy the go- 
vernor, was as follows: Egbert Egberts, Francis S. Claxton, 
Miles White, Chas A. Olmsted, Samuel H. Foster; Health 
Officer, Wm. F. Carter, M.D. 

On July 11th, the knitting factory of Timothy Bailey 
(now Holsapple's bedstead factory) was burned, the two 
upper stories being completely destroyed. The fire, which 
was one of the most disastrous that had yet visited Cohoes, 
was spoken of in the Cataract as follows: 

" It is supposed to haA'C been caused by spontaneous com- 
bustion of the wool and cotton. . . Thebuilding was owned 
by Mr. Haggerty of New York, and was insured sufficiently 
to cover the loss. Mr. Bailey's loss upon the machinery is 
estimated to exceed $5,000. How much stock was lost we 
did not ascertain. He was fully insured on all losses, but 
no insurance can compensate to him for the loss by suspen- 
sion of his business at this most pressing season of the year 
when he was running night and day to meet his orders. 
The loss falls upon one of our most worthy citizens who has 
the heartfelt sympathy of all. And it is moreover a great 
calamity to our village, throwing out of employment nearly 
two hundred persons, whose main support was derived from 
this establishment." 

Fire companies f roin Waterford and Troy were in attend- 
ance, and excellent service was done by the Cataract engine — 
of which it was said, " she has in this one instance well re- 
paid her cost and the members of her comj^any deserve the 
thanks of our citizens generally." Some of the machinery 
was saved, and with this Mr. Bailey removed in the following 
month to Ballston, where he established a mill. Another 
fire, in November, destroyed part of the building in the 
rear of the Van Rensselaer House, which had been erected 
for a factory by H. C. Billings. 

" The building was occupied for a number of different 
purposes, having a Bat Factory, a Sash & Blind Factory 



1849. History of Cohoes. 105 

in one end, and the large Saloon of the Van Rensselaer 
House in the other. The fire originated in the Bat Factory 
which was entirely cousumed. The end containing the Saloon 
was saved. The Cataract ICngine was on hand in good 
season and did nobly. The two force pumps in the Ogden 
Mills also threw a large quantity of water." 

The saloon or ball room, referred to, was in the southern 
part of the building, and was entered by a passage from 
the dining room in the second story of the hotel. Under 
the ball room was a bowling alley. The cotton bat and 
sash and blind factories were in the north end of the build- 
ing, and were owned, the former by Nicholas Coyle, and 
the latter by Overpaugh and Childs, who had moved from 
the Wilkinson machine shop the machinery formerly used 
by Loveland and Palmer, whom they succeeded. 

A new business establishment of the year was B. R. 
Peck's Sash and Blind Factory, located in the BaldAvin 
machine shop building, corner of Ontario and Remsen 
streets, occupying half of one floor. In later years as the 
business increased, Mr. Peck took possession of the entire 
main part of the building. • 

In September a sti'ike occurred in the Ogden Mills, which 
caused considerable excitement. The cause was a fifteen per 
cent reduction of wages. The agent, Mr. Chas. A. Olmsted, 
advertised at once for outside help, which was procured, 
and work resumed after a stoppage of three weeks. The Co- 
hoes Worsted Company earlier in the same year had trouble 
with their operatives, and a public meeting of workingmen 
was called which condemned their action in most emphatic 
terms. Among their employes was Michael McKernon, 
who ran for surveyor-general on the workingmen's state 
ticket of that year. Other Cohoes workingmen, among 



' The firm of Peck & Van Der Mark was formed in 1856, to which A . J. Gofl'e 
was subsequently admmitted, but retired in 1859. The business was disposed of in 
1861 to Messrs. Falardo and DeVilliers, who conducted at until the buieding changed 
ahnds and was converted into a knitting mill. 

14 



106 History of Cohoes. 1849. 

them Wrn. Manning, H. E. Higley and Joseph M. Brown, 
were prominent in that campaign, the last two named being 
on the state central committee. 

The plank road fever was then at its height in this vicinity 
and a company was formed in which several Cohoes parties 
was interested, to build a road from here to West Troy. 
It was completed during the fall. 

At different times during the year, local items on " Im- 
provements " showed that the growth of the place was con- 
siderable. The following is from the Cataract of May 26 : 

"There are at present thirty or forty buildings going up, 
besides numerous other impi'ovements. Somebody had 
better begin to think about a bill to make Cohoes a city — 
if we don't hold on a little we shall be big enough for two 
before the next session." 

Among the most important buildings erected were the 
block of Egberts & Bailey, on the west side of Kemsen 
street, north of Cataract alley, and the block on Mohawk 
street south of Ontario, which was built by F. S. Claxton, 
and is now owned by W. T. Dodge. 

Among the matters of public importance during 1850) 
was a movement to change the school arrangements of the 
village, which were then under control of the town 
authorities. The village was divided into three districts, in 
each of which scholars of all ages and degrees of advance- 
ment were taught in the same building, and by the same 
teachers. The change proposed was to constitute the village 
one school district, which was to be divided into five wards. 
From each of these two trustees whose term of office was 
two years, were to be elected, under whose supervision the 
schools were to be properly graded, and by whom their 
affairs were to be managed. At a meeting held February 
5th, to take action upon the matter, " A committee was 
appointed to draft a bill in conformity with the plan, and 
to circulate petitions for the passage of the same by the 
legislature. The committee nominated was : H. B. Silliman 
and J. M. Brown, from District No, 5 ; Wm. Manning and 



1850. History of Cohoes. 107 

Henry Van Auken from District No. 15 ; John McGill and 
Henry Howarth, from District No. 19. On motion, John 
Van Santvoord, Henry D. Fuller and Patrick Judge were 
added to the committee." The original plan met with some 
opposition ; at a meeting held the next week, a remon- 
strance was presented by Mr. Gary, signed by one hunflred 
persons in District No. 15, against the passage of such a 
law. It was subsequently modified in some particulars, 
however, and the bill passed the legislature April 10th. 

The Cataract during this year was frequently enlivened 
by spicy paragraphs on local topics, many of which, though 
affording an interesting glimpse of life in Cohoes at that 
time, can scarcely be considered as historical material. One 
matter, however, which was made the subject of much 
humorous comment, was deemed of sufficient importance 
to merit the attention of the trustees, which it received in 
the following resolution passed February 11th: 

"Complaint having been made that Wm. H. Bortell has 
a bear near his house which is not safely secured, therefore 

" JResolved : That the police constable be, and he is hereby 
ordered to direct the said Bortell in the name of the village 
to secure the said bear or remove him so as children and 
passengers shall not be exposed any longer." 

Although a number of sidewalks had been constructed 
during 1849, there was still enough ground for comjjlaint 
in this respect to justify the appearances of many editorial 
squibs. A rough wood cut, of which an outline is given 
below, was published in the issue of June 8th, under the 
heading, " A Cut on our Sidewalks," and illustrates the 
manner of grading which prevailed at that time. 

Farnam 



Hahn 



Tlie erection of a structui-e to be used as a court room by 
Justice Daw was chronicled as follows: 

" The New Court House. This elegant structure, the 



108 History of Cohoes. 1850. 

corner stone of which was laid on Tuesday of this week and 
which is now nearly completed, stands upon the corner of 
Remsen and Seneca streets' and just on the other side of a 
vacant lot commonly occupied by a large pile of hogs, in a 
great state of discomfort, for the purpose of rubbing off 
fleas against each other, in which they seem to do a large 
business. We think this a circumstance highly favorable 
to the rapid dispensation of justice and likely to give a new 
impulse to the progressive march of law and order through 
our village. This magnificent erection is about fifteen by 
twenty and about eight or ten high ; it is built of the best 
three by four joists and is, we understand, to be shingled 
with shad scales, both because they are the best to shed 
water and are also the most appropriate symbols of jus- 
tice. . . . But joking aside, we are glad that we have at last 
got a convenient place for the administration of justice ex- 
clusively. Now who'll build a lock up ?" 

Another subject which furnished abundant material for 
the local columns, during the years 1849, and '50, and at 
different times later, was the disagreement between the 
Cohoes Company and the village authorities in regard to 
the construction of railings, etc., and repairs of bridges on 
the property belonging to the former. The trustees claimed 
that those bridges within the village limits which were made 
necessary in consequence of the existence of the company's 
water courses, should be kept in repair by them, while the 
company insisted that as the bridges were used as a part of 
the public highways, all bills for repairing them should be 
paid by the village. The bridges had been for a long time 
in very bad condition, and complaints were so numerous 
that the authorities made some repairs on them, presenting 
the bill to the Cohoes Company with their assessment for 
highway tax. Payment was refused, and a long dispute 
ensued. In the trustees' proceedings of June 12th, 1850, 

" on motion of Mr. Caw, the i^resident was authorized to 
enter into an arrangement with the Colioes Company to 
have the bridge question decided by the Supreme Court, 



' On the site of Musgrove's store. 



1850. History of Cohoes. 109 

and to enter into an agreement with them that in the mean- 
time all necessarj' repairs to bridges and all necessary new 
bridges, should be made by the village and the company 
together, each paying half the expense, and that the losing 
party in the decision of the court refund to the other all 
such advances." 

In July the bridge on Seneca street (which is now replaced 
by a stone arch) fell — not with a crash, said the editor, be- 
cause it was too rotten — to the bottom of the ravine, while 
the Troy omnibus, filled with passengers, was not more than 
ten feet away. This occurrence, and the very bad condition 
of the bridge over Basin A, furnished subjects for fresh 
complaints. The matter was settled for the time being by 
an agreement in the following year on the part of the com- 
pany to pay 11,225, in full of their taxes for 1848, each party 
to settle its own costs. ' 

The Fourth of July celebration of this year was the 
largest Cohoes had yet seen, and was entered into with 
great enthusiasm. The second page of the Cataract of 
June 29 was almost entirely occupied by the programme, 
printed in large type, from which the following extract may 
be made : 

" The Baptist, Presbyterian and Reformed Dutch Sunday 
Schools, the Boght Sunday School, and the Sunday School 
at Mr. I. D, F, Lansing's, together with the Roman Catholic 
Sunday School, the Fire Company No. 3, and the citizens 
at large Avill celebrate the '74th Anniversaiy of American 
Independence at the Grove southerly from Pros})ect Hill. 
The several societies and associations, and the citizens gene- 
rally, are cordially invited to participate in the festivities, 

Mr. Pettis will be at the Dutch church with carriages to 
carry the clergy, the surviving heroes of the Revolution, 
teachers, and the younger scholars to Dickey's Grove. The 
remainder of the scholars and teachers, the various societies, 



1 The question was again opened in 1863, and occupied the attention of the trus- 
tees for some weeks. Propositions were made to refer the matter to an outside party 
for decision, but nothing was accomplished in this way. Some of the trustees were 
strongly in favor of suing the company. This course was Anally adopted, and the 
village was beaten. 



110 History of Cohoes. 1850. 

the gentlemen and ladies of the village, and all strangers 
will follow the carriages in procession with martial music. 
The other schools above named will reach the grove at the 
same time. The business of the day will be wholly subject 
to the marshal and his assistants. 

MARSHAL OF THE DAY — Luman Doavd. 

Exercises. 

Prayer^ by Rev. Mr. Pitcher. 

Music, Anniversary Hymn, by all the schools. 
Readhuj of the Declaration, by Andrew Lansing, Esq. 
Sliort Oration, by Henry D. Fuller, Esq. 

3Iusic. 
Poem, by S. C. Miller, Esq. 
Hymn, "The Golden Rule," by all the schools. 
Short Oration., by Chas. H. Adams, Esq. 

Music. 
Shoi't Oration, by Joseph M. Brown, Esq. 

3fusic. 
Short Address, by Rev. Mr. Round. 
T/ie Long Meter Doxology, by the audience. 
Benediction, by Rev. Mr. Waldron." 

The refreshments were contributed by the citizens, and 
were collected under the direction of the Committee of Ar- 
rangements, which consisted of Wm. H. Hollister, John 
Van Santvoord, Jacob I. Lansing, Wm. Leckie, Stephen H. 
Adams and Miles White. In the evening a large display 
of fireworks was made from Prospect Hill, after which, said 
the Cataract, " the people were astonished and gratified at 
the unusual sight of a balloon ascension by night," for 
which they were indebted to Dr. C. F. Goss. 

The question of extending Remsen street to Saratoga 
street was agitated early in the year, and the heirs of Abram 
G. Lansing offered to give the land necessary, if they could 
be released from assessment. A meeting of the tax payers, 
called June 20th, of which Egbert Egberts was chairman, 



1850. History of Cohoes. Ill 

and H. L. Landon secretary, decided that " at present it 
was inexpedient to open Remsen street below Newark." 
So the matter rested, and at a meeting of the trustees, a 
week or two later, Newark street (which had formerly been 
called Lansing street) was declared opened as a public 
highway. 

A prominent addition to the manufacturing establish- 
ments of the place was the new knitting mill (now occupied 
by Parsons & Co.), erected by Egbert Egberts on the 
corner of Factory and Remsen streets. The building was 
of brick, fifty by one hundred and fifty feet and five stories 
high. The work was done mainly by Cohoes mechanics, as 
follows: Joshua R. Clarke, architect and builder ; Wolford 
& Stejihenson, masons ; Jacob I. Lansing, wheelwright ; 
Isaac F. Fletcher, marble cutter; and W. T. Palmer, painter. 

The block of stores on the southeast corner of Remsen 
and Oneida streets, built by Dr. Carter, was completed 
about the same time. 

An event destined to be of great importance to the inte- 
rests of Cohoes was the change during this year in the 
proprietorship of the Harmony Mills. The career of the 
old corporation had been anything but successful. No 
dividends had ever been paid to the stockholders, and when 
the company sold out they had floating debts to the 
amount of their capital. The stock had changed owners 
from time to time, until in the last years of its existence 
the management of the company was in almost entirely 
different hands. For some time the company had no resi- 
dent agent, but on the election of Mr Wm. N. Chadwick 
as president in 1841, an effort was made to induce him to 
make his residence here and supervise the business, which 
he afterward decided to do. Under his administration in 
1844 additional machinery was put into the mill, which had 
previously been but partly occupied. In that and the fol- 
lowing year some 164,000 were cleared — all the money 



112 History of Cohoes. 1851. 

the company ever made — and it was of course needed to 
meet the deficiency of jji-eceding years. In 1846 Mr. 
Chadwick resigned, and his successor as president was Wm. 
C. Haggerty, who continued to be the active man of the 
concern until it was sold. 

With the advent of Mr. Robert Johnston, however, the 
present superintendent, a new condition of affairs began, 
and tlie career of the company since that time has been one 
of steady and growing prosperity. Mr. Johnston was born 
in Carlisle, England, in 1807, and in that country had his 
first training in cotton manufacture. He came to the United 
States in 1833, and was for a time connected with the 
Providence Steam Mills at Providence, R. I., where he suc- 
ceeded in accomplishing what had previously been thought 
im2:)Ossible, , the spinning of warps on mules. Soon after 
he removed to Valatie, N. Y., where he took charge of the 
cotton mill of Nathan Wild, and it was at his suggestion 
that Alfred Wild, the son of his employer, and Mr. Thomas 
Garner of New York, purchased the Harmony Mill. With 
the inauguration of the new management the mill was 
greatly improved, and its capacity increased to 8,000 
spindles. 

An amendment to the village charter passed early in 
1851, provided for the election of a police justice, whose 
term of oflice was to be four years, and increased the powers 
of the trustees in several particulars. The amendment seems 
to have given general satisfaction, and was thus commented 
upon by the Cataract : " It will be seen that provision is 
made for the establishment of a municipal government which 
can effect everything desired in the way of law and order." 
The first justice under this act was Alfred Phelps, elected 
July 29. At the regular village election in March, the first 
school trustees were chosen, according to the act passed in 
1850. On the organization of the board, Wm. G. Caw was 
elected president, and John Van Santvoord, clerk. The 



1851. History of Coiioes. 113 

following committees were appointed : Finance : Burton 
and Parkhurst ; Library: Foster and Caw ; School houses: 
Travis andMcGill; Text books: Caw and Travis; Teachers: 
Foster, Burton and Caw ; Tuition of non residents: McGill 
and Parkhurst; Select committee for organizing and grading 
schools : Caw, Foster and McGill. At a meeting held 
April 4th, arrangements were made to procure further 
accommodations. The basement of the Reformed church 
was hired at a rental of |40 per annum, and negotiations 
were commenced with the Messrs. Fuller for the erection 
of a two story school house in Remsen street, the yearly 
rent to be $85. The teachers were assigned as follows : 
District ISTo. 9 (Harmony Hill), Henry Dubois ; District 
No. 5 (depot school house), E. H. Johnston and C. Allen, 
Miss Van Schaick, assistant ; District No. 13 (state yard 
school house), Mr. Landon. J. M. Brown's store on Remsen 
street was selected as a proper place for keeping the libraries 
of the district and it was engaged for $50 per annum, Mr. 
Brown to act as librarian. 

In April, an act was passed incorporating the Cohoes 
Savings Institution, of which the corporators were: Chas. 
A. Olmsted, Truman G. Younglove, Egbert Egberts, Hugh 
White, Daniel Simmons, Isaac D. F. Lansing, Henry D. 
Fuller, Wm. F. Carter, Abraham Lansing, Joshua Bailey, 
Wm. N. Chadwick, Teunis Van Vechten, Andrew D. Lan- 
sing, Harmon Pumpelly, Edward E. Kendrick, Wm. Burton, 
Joshua R. Clarke, Jeremiah Clute, Miles White. 

With the rapid growth of the place since its incorporation, 
the fire department was soon found to be inadequate, and 
it was accordingly voted at the annual meeting of this 
year to purchase a new engine at a cost of $600. 

At the trustees' meeting held Sept. 23, a petition was 
presented from "Jacob J. Lansing and others, mainly per- 
sons who were members of the Engine Company, known as 
the Parmelee Company, asking to be organized into a fire 
15 



114 History of Cohoes. 1851. 

company under the authority of the board." The prayer 
was granted, and the following 2:)ersons were enrolled as 
the first members of Engine Company No. 2, afterwards 
known as the Mohawk : 

Jacob Lansing, foreman ; John Fulton, 1st assistant ; 
Michael Larkins, 2d assistant ; John Doyle, treasurer; Wm. 
Shannon, Lewis Wells, J. Eastwood, Benjamin Hutchins, 
Malachi Ball, John Henry, John Larkins, Peter Moran, 
Robert B. Moore, Edward Hitchcock, Louis Savoid, Isaac 
Van Vliet, Isaac F. Runkle, Elihu M. Stevenson, Jacob H. 
Hallenbeck, Patrick Hines, Henry C. Rider, Joseph Gould, 
Henry Shepard, Franklin Waring, Timothy McGray, Henry 
Brown. In December the contract for building the new 
engine house was let to Aaron Ferguson. This was a low 
wooden structure, situated on Mohawk street south of the 
present Miller House, and stood directly over the Cohoes 
Company's canal. 

Since 1847, there had been a number of changes in the 
proprietorship of the public conveyances. The Accommo- 
dation Stage to Ti'oy was run in 1848 by J. A. Simons, 
in 1849 by S. C. Moore and in 1850 by J. A. Simons until 
September when the partnershij) of Simons & Ives was 
formed. The Colioes and Troy Rail Road was con- 
ducted by C. O. Perham in 1849, and by John Deai'born 
in the following year, which was the last of its existence 
as a separate institution. After Nov. 1, 1850, the stages 
and cars were combined, under proprietorship of Dearborn 
and Ives, and made hourly trips to Troy. The Albany Mail 
Stage was conducted by H. N. Pettis. It made in 1849 
three trips, and in 1850 two trips, daily each way. In the 
spring of 1851, both the Albany and Troy lines changed 
hands, and were run by Dearborn, Simons & Co., who con- 
tinued in business until the stage lines were abandoned, 
Mr. Simons being in later years sole proprietor. 



1852. History of Coiioes. 115 

Several manufacturing establishments were started in 
this year. In March Thomas Fowler rented the building 
formerly occupied by Timothy Bailey, repaired the damage 
done by the fire, and put in knitting machinery. In the 
building in rear of the Van Rensselaer block which was 
afterwai'ds known as the Mohawk Mill, Messrs. F. W. 
Farnam & Co. established a factory for making linen 
thread from American flax, G. K. White being manager. 
The Cataract of Aug. 16th said : " The establishment will 
when in full operation be the largest flax manufactory in 
the United States and the only one where the finer branches 
of the work are executed. It will employ 300 hands and 
consume 600 tons of flax per annum." 

Another new enterprise was the wheel factory of Messrs. 
Wightman & Youmans, established in a building erected 
for them on Basin A, just south of where Brockway's mill 
now stands. They manufactured omnibus wheels for the 
New York and Philadelphia markets. The works of D. 
Simmons & Co., (which had been enlarged in 1845), were 
still further improved by the erection of new buildings. 
Additions were also made to Miles White's axe factory. 
In January, 1852, the partnership between Egberts & Bailey 
was dissolved, Mr. Egberts taking the new or Watervliet 
Mill, and Mr. Bailey the mill on Ontario street. The 
latter gentleman organized the Bailey Manufacturing 
Company, with a capital of $100,000, and Mr. Egberts 
transferred his mill to Chas. H. Adams.' These establish- 
ments and Fowler's were until some years later the only 
knitting mills in the place. 

The ]>aptist church, which had stood on the site of the 
Watervliet mill, was demolished when that structure was 
built in 1850. The society at once commenced the erection 



•The Bailey Manufacturing Company, of whicli tlie capital was reduced in 1856 to 
$50,000, continued in business till 1863, when the mill and machinery were sold to 
the Troy Manufacturinij; Company. Mr. Adams remained proprietor of the Water- 
vliet mill until 1862. 



116 History of Cohoes. 1852. 

of their present editice on Mohawk street, foot of White, 
which was finished in 1851, at a cost of about $6,000. It 
was dedicated April 28th, 1852, the sermon being preached 
by Rev. Dr. Warren, of Troy. Addresses were also de- 
livered in the afternoon and evening by Revs, G. C. Bald- 
win, of Troy, and H. G. Day, of Schenectady. The raiisic 
was under direction of Lester Allen. 

A number of public improvements had been made of late 
in the village, and newspaper complaints about sidewalks 
and railings became less frequent. New grades were estab- 
lished for Remsen, Oneida and other important streets, and 
Canal (now Main), Canvass White (now Canvass), and 
Howard streets, were opened as public highways. Street 
lamps, which had long been needed, were placed by several 
citizens in front of their dwellings, the example having been 
set by Miles White. Sidewalks were laid in many parts of 
the village and the Cohoes Company's water course on 
Ontario street, which had previously been crossed by a 
wooden bridge at Remsen street, was covered at that point 
by a substantial stone arch. 

In October, the block known as the Van Rensselaer House 
was torn down by its owners, the Cohoes Company. The 
existence of quicksands under the foundation of the struc- 
ture rendered it unsafe, and as tenants were with difficulty 
induced to occupy it, the investment had never been pro- 
fitable. The first proprietor was J. H. Crane, of Schenec- 
tady, who sold in 1849 to John Parker, who continued in 
business little more than a yeai', and was then sold out by 
the sheriff. The arrangement of the ground floor of the 
building was similar to that of the present Johnston 
block ; the bar-room was in the corner corresponding to 
that now occupied by A. M. Harmon's store ; next to that 
was the main entrance, north of which were three stores. 
A brick block three stories high was built on the site. 
Cohoes during this year was rather quiet, if we may judge 



1863. History of Cohoes. 117 

by the local cokimns of the paper. In December con- 
siderable excitement was caused by the failure of Miles 
White, with liabilities of nearly $200,000, which threw one 
hundred and lifty men out of employment. This was the 
first failure which had seriously affected the place, and 
afforded material for discussion for some time. 

During 1853, however, there was no lack of subjects for 
local comment. Early in the year the rail road from Albany, 
work on which had been for some time in progress, was com- 
pleted. As before mentioned, several companies which had 
been organized were unable to make any progress with the 
enterprise, and the people began to believe it was never to 
be carried out, but when, under the auspices of the Albany 
Northern Rail Road Company, the contracts were actually 
let, the prospect was more reassuring, and the satisfaction 
was general. The last rail was laid March 24th, and busi- 
ness could have been then commenced but the bridge was 
not completed. The Cataract commented as follows : " The 
rails having fairly been laid as far as the station house it 
may be safely affirmed that this old-new road is completed 
from Albany to Cohoes. Having struggled on under a 
hundred unfortunate accidents and been a laughing stock 
for years, it seems almost incredible that it has at last 
accomplished the original task." 

The station-house, which was described as " one of the 
finest in the state," had been completed in the previous De- 
cember. A trial trip was made as far as Cohoes, April 9. 
Two days afterward the road was formally opened. The 
afternoon train from Albany brought the president and di- 
rectors of the road, and several prominent citizens, and was 
received here with ringing of bells and firing of cannon. 
The party was met by the board of trustees and a large 
number of citizens. T. G. Younglove, on behalf of the 
trustees, made the following address: 

" Gentlemen : In behalf of the citizens of Cohoes, we 



118 History of Cohoes. 1853. 

welcome yon and congratulate yon, that by patience, per- 
severance and energy a long desired object has been ac- 
complished. The snorting and puffing of tlie iron horse in 
our streets, mingling as it does with the roar of our cataract, 
the sound of our hammers, the ring of our anvils, and the 
hum of our spindles, is an era in our history which we too, 
gladly receive congratulation for, and we say to you that 
we not only congratulate you, but we congratulate ourselves, 
and rejoice in the increased facilities you have given us for 
sending to market more than one and a half millions of dol- 
lars — the annual product of our labor and our capital. We 
rejoice, then, in the establishment of this new connecting 
link between our embryo, and your venerable city. I think 
I may say without exaggeration that our water power when 
its locality and extent are taken into account is the most 
valuable in the United States. We have the power to drive 
all your manufacturing establishments, even to your print- 
ing presses, and we will do it provided you give us the 
chance. Who can say that in the progress of the arts and 
manufactui'es, Cohoes may not be a great center of in- 
dustrial pursuits, annually sending foith her products, to 
enrich and comfort thousands nay, even millions of the in- 
habitants of the earth ? But I have digressed. Do not mis- 
take the roar and din you hear around you for any other 
than that of friendly and cordial greeting. Even the waters 
of the Mohawk join in our greetings to you. Again I say, 
Moe welcome you.'''' 

Robert H, Pruyn, one of the directors, replied on behalf 
of the company. Speeches were also made by Judge 
Cheever, Mr. Wasson, and Col. J. W. Miller. After the 
excursionists had visited the Falls, the factories and other 
objects of interest, they assembled at the Cohoes Hotel, 
where, said the Cataract, " an ample and handsome colla- 
tion was prepared which was thoroughly taken care of, and 
which prompted a pleasant interchange of sentiment on the 
part of those present." 

The regular trains commenced running at once, eight 
daily between here and Albany, and were well patronized. 
An Albany paper of the 16 inst. said : "The Cohoes fac- 
tories wei'e to-day closed, in order to afford the female 



1853, History of Coiioes. 119 

operatives an opportunity to visit Albany by tbe new rail 
road, which they availed themselves of in great numbers." 
The first ticket agent at this station was Chas. T. Carter. 

The Cohoes Gas Light Company was organized in January 
under the general law, and had its buildings ready to com- 
mence operations in July.^ The capital of the company 
was 150,000 and the first oflicers were T. G. Younglove, 
president, R. Merrifield, secretary. The other trustees 
were Egbert Egberts, H. D. Fuller, W. F. Carter, J. Bailey, 
H. Pumpelly and J. Battin, 

On August 15th, the Cohoes Savings Institution, which 
had been incorporated some time before, commenced to re- 
ceive deposits at the office, which was on Remsen street 
near Oneida, in the store at present occupied by Wm. Bell, 
dry goods dealer. The officers were, Egbert Egberts, presi- 
dent ; W. F. Carter, vice president ; Truman G. Younglove, 
tseasurer ; Edward W. Fuller, assistant treasurer. 

Several articles were published in the local paper during 
the year on the manufacturing interests of the place, which 
indicated a fair degree of prosperity. 

There were three knitting mills, run respectively by the 
Bailey Manufacturing Company, C. H. Adams, and G. Steer, 
agent for Thomas Fowler. They employed 750 hands, and 
produced 45,000 dozen goods annually. The production of 
the cotton mills was as follows: 

Harmony Mills, 2,652,000 ya,rds per annum. 
Ogden Mills, 4,090,000 " " " 

Strong " 800,000 " " " 

The total number of hands employed was about 800. 

In October a new mill was completed by the Harmony 
Company, adjoining their first building. It was 274 by 75 



' These works, which were on Sargent street, coutinued in use until 1869, when 
the company needed more room, and erected the buildings occupied l)y them at 
present on the east side of the Champlain Canal, the producing capacity of which is 
250,000 cubic feet per day, five times that of the old works. 



120 History op Cohoes. 1853. 

feet and five stories high, with an L, 50 by 75 feet, which 
made the dimensions of the whole building 493 by 75 feet. 

Other establishments described were Simmons's axe fac- 
tory, Hurst's worsted mill, the Cohoes Iron Foundery (then 
superintended by Joshua R. Clarke), the bedstead factory 
of Parkhursts & Fullers (formerly 0. & D. Parkhurst), 
Wightman & Youman's wheel factory, Burton's veneering 
mill. Peck's sash and blind factory, and John Baker's bob- 
bin factory, situated in the same building. There were also 
several new firms. The Mohawk Mill, Samuel Bilbrough 
proprietor, and Wm. Baxter superintendent, which had been 
established the previous year, was located in the building 
formerly used as Farnam's thread factory, ' and employed 
one hundred hands, producing 500,000 pounds of carpet 
warp and fine yarns per year. The Novelty Works, 
Joseph Haskins proj^rietor, were in the same building and 
employed twenty-five hands in the manufacture of twine. 
This concern soon afterward failed and Mr. Bilbrough took 
possession of the entire building. On Courtland street, 
east of Mohawk, a tobacco and cigar factory employing 
fifty hands was established by D. Cady Hollister & Co., 
and in the Miles White axe factory building on Mohawk 

street, a woolen mill commenced operations, Hartness 

proprietor, and Jonathan Hiller superintendent. 

A cotton fiax mill on Ontario street, near the site of 
Brockway's Mill had been erected in the Spring by Bailey, 
Payson and Younglove. It was burned in October, however, 
at a loss of IGOOO, before operations had been fairly com- 
menced. 

The flourishing state of business was commented upon as 
follows by the Cataract : 

" In proportion to its size, there is probably no place in 
the state of greater enterprise or business capacity than the 



1 After remiiining in operation a short time this establishment had been removed 
to Mechanicsville. 



1853. History of Cohoes. 121 

village of Cohoes. To strangers, the statistics, if they could 
be obtained, would seem incredible, and would undoubtedly 
be thought exaggerated even by citizens. When we con- 
sider that it is scarcely more than ten years since this place 
was little better than a wilderness, the wonder becomes still 
greater, and forces upon the mind the conviction that in 
half, perhaps a quarter of a century, Cork Hill and Codfish 
Flats will be near the centre of a large and wealthy city." 

The changes of time wci-e thus spoken of in the issue of 
Oct. 1: 

" Our village is not old enough to have an extended history 
but we must confess our surprise in looking over a copy of 
the Advertiser, published in 1847, to note the changes which 
time has wrought in this village even in so short time. Of 
all the persons and firms advertising their business in the 
place there are but six who are now residing here and con- 
tinuing the same business. Many have moved away, some 
have changed their avocations, and many have gone to that 
bourne whence no traveler returns. And this is only six 
years, but yesterday !" 

The Young Men's Association, before referred to, was in 
flourishing condition this year. The lecture committee, 
consisting of Wm. Manning, T. C. Carter, and Wm. G. 
Caw, provided an excellent course, which was well supported. 
Among the speakers of the season were Profs. John Foster, 
Lowell Mason, and L. N. Fowler, Hon. Ira Harris, Isaac 
Edwards Esq., and Mrs. E. Oakes Smith. 

Among the chief topics of public interest was the Free 
Bridge question, which occupied a large share of the local 
columns of the Cataract for some months. The Waterford 
bridge, together with the residence of the gate keej^er, Mr. 
Bonce, was entirely destroyed by fire March 13th. A meet- 
ing was soon afterward called, of which T. G. Younglove 
was president and John Fulton secretary, to take measures 
for the construction of a free bridge, and a committee was 
appointed to confer with the legislature on the subject. 
Considerable difticulty was exi)ericnced in procuring the 
passage of a suitable bill, as it was held by some parties 
16 



122 History of Cohoes. 1854. 

that the state should construct nothing but a towing path 
bridge. Arrangements were finally concluded, however, by 
which the state was to build the main body of the bridge, 
and be entitled to the right of a towing path, while the piers 
and abutments were to be paid for by subscriptions from 
the citizens of Cohoes and vicinity. The contract was let 
in January, 1854, to Messrs. Smith and Bogue. 

In the Cataract of May 20, at which time the bridge was 
nearly completed it was stated that " a large meeting of the 
friends of a free bridge across the Mohawk at this place 
was held this week, pursuant to a call of the citizens of 
Cohoes and Waterford, at the house of David Lamb of the 
latter place. Moses Bedell was appointed to solicit sub- 
scriptions in Saratoga County, and Adam Van Der Werken 
to perform the same duties in the county of Albany. John 
Fulton, Esq., of Waterford was appointed treasurer." The 
bridge was completed so that wagons passed over on the 
4th of July. It cost originally about $25,000 and $15,000 
more were afterward expended in repairs. 

Another matter frequently discussed in the newspaper at 
that time (and in fact at intervals ever since) was the bad con- 
dition of the cemetery. This first received public attention 
at the annual meeting in 1852, when on motion of Mr. H. 
D. Fuller $400 were voted for purchasing and improving 
the grounds. No action was taken until the following year, 
when at the citizen's meeting held March 3d, it was re- 
solved, " that a committee be appointed for the purpose of 
making a selection of grounds suitable for a village ceme- 
tery, said committee to consist of one person from each of 
the religious congregations of the village, and two from 
the village at large." The report of this committee was 
published in the Cataract, from which the following extract 
is taken : "They rej^ort that the wooded land south of Mr. 
Gage's, and belonging to Douw A. Fonda, can be purchased 
with right of way included for $200 per acre and is a very 



1854. History of Cohoes. 123 

desirable location ; that the present grounds can be ob- 
tained of the Cohoes Company for $100, and about eight 
acres north of and adjoining them can be purchased for 
$150 per acre. The committee recommend the purchase of 
the former in case the village wishes to expend five or six 
thousand dollars in clearing and beautifying the grounds, 
but if not, then they recommend the latter and say that the 
judicious expenditure of $400, in improving the old ceme- 
tery, will make it a very good place." Nothing was done 
after this report until 1854, Avhen the condition of the 
cemetery became so bad as to call forth the severest com- 
ments. At the annual meeting a further appropriation of 
$300 was voted, and the following resolutions passed : 

" liesolved, That the village accept the offer of T. G. 
Younglove in behalf of the Cohoes Company, of the ceme- 
teiy grounds as a gift to the village by said Cohoes Com- 
pany for a merely nominal sum. 

" liesolved, That the thanks of this village be tendered 
to the Cohoes Company for their liberality in bestowing the 
cemetery grounds to the village of Cohoes." 

A committee was appointed to superintend the improve- 
ments, consisting of Egbert Egberts, H. D. Fuller, H. B. 
Silliman, Jacob Travis and Matthew Fitzpatrick. 

During the winter of 1853-54 the foundation was laid 
for the establishment of the Harmony Hill Union Sabbath 
School, an institution which has since been the means of 
doing great good in the place. It was organized originally as 
a branch of the Baptist Sunday School with Jas. Lansing as 
superintendent. The first regular election was held May 7, 
1854, and resulted in the choice of Stephen Slocum as suj^erin- 
tendent. At this meeting the total attendance was eighteen, 
as follows — four officers, three teachers, eleven scholars. 

On July 8, the Strong Mill was burned. The original 
building, together with an addition of about the same size 
which was nearly completed, was almost entirely destroyed^ 
Some of the machinery and most of the stock was saved, 



124 History of Cohoes. 1854. 

the entire loss not exceeding i< 16,000. One person was 
killed and several seriously injured by the falling of a wall 
during the progress of the fire. 

The growth of the village continued to be rapid, and 
preparations were made for a number of new business enter- 
prises. Among the buildings erected for manufacturing 
purposes were the bedstead factory of Jeremiah Clute on 
Mohawk street (on the site of Campbell & Clute's block) ; 
the flouring mill of J. M. Hayward, corner of Remsen and 
Ontario streets, into which Mr. H. moved from the Baldwin 
machine shop, and the rolling mill (now Morrison, Colwell & 
Page's), built by Mr. Simmons. The Cataract commented 
as follows on the improvements of the year: 

" In three years Cohoes may ap])ly for a city charter. 
The present population cannot be far from 6,000, and when 
the factories now in progress get into operation it will pro- 
bably go up to 10,000. Aboiit 100 dwellings will be erected 
during the season, and rumor is busy about several other 
large manufacturing establishments. Hundreds of thou- 
sands of dollars are being invested here which cannot but 
prove profitable to the owners and give our village an im- 
pulse such as she has never before received." 



1855. History of Cohoes. 125 



VII. 

1855 TO 1860. 

XHE census of 1855 showed that the population of 
Cohoes had been trebled within the past decade. The re- 
sults of this began now to be shown in a demand for further 
improvements, for a different organization of the local go- 
vernment, and numerous other changes made necessary by 
the increased size of the village. For the next few years 
the steady growth of the place was manifested not so much 
by a large influx of new inhabitants, but by constant addi- 
tions to its wealth, business importance and material im- 
provements. 

An act was passed May 12th which amended the charter 
in several important particulars. The village was divided 
into three wards; provision was made for the election of 
the presidents of the village and board of education, from 
the village at large; two trustees from each ward were to 
be voted for at the first election, one for the term of one, 
and the other for two years, and at each annual election 
thereafter one was to be elected to hold two years ; in the 
same manner two school commissioners from each ward 
were to be chosen ; the school law of 1850 was repealed 
and a new one enacted, similar in its provisions ; the levy- 
ing of a poll tax for school purposes was directed, new 
powers and duties were assigned to the trustees, and several 
minor changes in regard to the duties of village officials 
were made. The first election under the act was to be held 
on the third Tuesday of April, in the following year. 

Since the passage of the act of 1850, the schools of the 
village had been greatly improved. At times there was 
discussion or complaint about some objectionable feature, 
but the system on the whole was better than those in vogue 



126 History of Cohoes. 1855. 

elsewhere. The following, published in the Albany Knicker- 
bocker in January, shows how its workings were regarded 
in neighboring cities: 

" The advantage of having our public schools entirely 
free is shown by the experience of Cohoes. Under tlie part 
pay system the numl>er of pupils who attended school was 
less than four hundred. At present it is over eight hundred. 
This fact should not be lost on the legislature. It shows 
that what is done in Cohoes, should be done in every town 
in the state." 

Besides the schools under control of the village there 
were also in operation the parish school connected with St. 
John's church, and a private school under the direction of 
Rev. Stephen Bush, who erected a building for the purpose 
on Mohawk street near the foot of Seneca street.^ 

The following list of the village schools and teachers for 
this year, compared with that of 1851, shows the extent of 
the improvements in educational facilities : 

" Brick School House (Oneida street). Mr. H. B. Tliayer, 
Miss M. Hildreth, Miss A. Caldwell, Miss Van Der Werken. 

Catholic Church. Mr. J. Eccles, Miss L. GofFe, Miss E. 
Brooks. 

Dutch Church. Miss M. Henderson. 

Eijherts' House (Columbia street.-') Mr. R. Thompson, 
Miss L. Benedict, Miss L. Van Schaick, Miss Moe. 

Red School House? Miss M. Jefferson. 

East Harmony Hill."' Miss Caroline Brown. 

West Harmony Hill. Miss S. H. Bannard," 



1 It afterward came under control of the board of education. It was in 1861 re- 
moved to a lot just north of the Reformed church, and was destroyed in 1873. 

* This was a building belonging to Mr. Egberts on the corner of Columbia and 

Main streets, which had been erected some years before by Crandell. It stood 

near the site of the present brick school house which was erected soon afterward. 
The original building was for some time rented as a tenement. 

5 These buildings were erected during 1854 and '55. The first was on School 
street, near the site of the present school house, for which it was exchanged with 
the Harmony Company. The second was on Vliet street near Willow. Previous 
to its erection the only school house on the Harmony Hill was an old wooden 
building nearly opposite, on the site now occupied by the boarding houses. The 
West Harmony School House remained in use until 1863, when it was sold, the 
building on Mangam street now in use having been completed. 



1855. History of Cohoes. 127 

The erection during the year of a large number of dwell- 
ings and several buildings for manufacturing purposes, gave 
further evidence of the growth of the place. The Cataract 
said : " There has not been a season for several years when 
business was as promising in Cohoes as this spring." Promi- 
nent among the new business concerns were The Mohawk 
River Mills on Remsen street. The company, of which 
Joshua Bailey was president, had been organized in March 
of the previous year, with a capital of |1 50,000. Their 
building, 350 by 75 feet and four stories high, was described 
as the largest knitting mill in the world, and cost with 
the machinery |120,000. The company employed 600 hands 
and operated eleven sets of machinery. ' 

Another new firm was the Albany Pin Company, also 
incorporated in 1854, with a capital of $35,000. The 
officers were L. S. Parsons, president ; Louis Spanier, 
treasurer ; C. W. Bender, secretary. The comj^any manu- 
factured solid headed pins, using twenty-seven macljines.'^ 

In March the knitting mill of Thomas Fowler was bought 
by J. G. Root of Albany, who, with L. S. Parsons established 
the Tivoli Hosiery Mill, under the firm name of J. G. Root 
& Co. Mr. Egberts erected the buildings on Remsen 
street now known as the Diamond and Globe Mills, 



• In July, 1859, the name of the establishment was changed to Clifton Mills 
and anew company was formed, of which A. E. Stimson of Albany was the princi- 
pal stockholder, and Wlnsor Stone lagent. In Oct., 1861, the Clifton Company 
was organized with a capital of $100,000, the officers being as follows: president, 
T. G. Younglove ; treasurer and general manager, A. E. Stimson ; secretary, B. 
L. Stimson. The company suffered reverses in the late panic, and the busines 
was discontinued in Oct. 1875. 

"^ This establishment was in June, 18G9, sold to T. G. Younglove, having been 
idle over a year. In August, he sold to Arthur T . Becker, who commenced opera- 
tions at once, Robert Johnston becoming a partner soon after. Mr. Johnston sold 
his interest in Nov., 18()3, to Ileber T. Lyon. This firm was succeeded June, 18U5, 
by the American Pin Company, and Cohoes Pin Company, followed later by the 
Empire Pin Company of which E. S. & W. II. Harris of Albany, were principal 
proprietors, and G. M. Morris, superintendent. The business was in 1874 removed 
to Winsted, Conn., and the new building of the company on Courtlaud street sold 
to Tubbs & Severson in May I87li. 



128 History of Cohoes. 1855. 

the middle one of which was occupied by the Pin Company, 
and also by Root & Co. who still retained possession 
however, of the old Fowler Mill. 

Another knitting mill, the Halcyon, was established by 
Barber and Leckie in a building on Ontario street which 
has since become part of Brockway's Mill. This building 
was erected at the same time as the Mohawk River Mills 
and had been used among other purposes as a shop for the 
construction of some of the machinery of the mill. ' 

The census of this year gave the following statement of 
Cohoes industries : 

6 Knitting mills, value of product, |647 100 

2'-^ Cotton factories, 618 000 

1 Axe and edge tool factory, 210 000 

2 Bedstead factories, 45 000 

1 Veneering factory, 42 000 

2 Mills, 28 000 

1 Machine shop and foundry, 34 200 

1 Tobacco factory, 21 450 

1 Shoddy mill, 21 840 

1 Wheel factory, 9 000 

1 Straw paper factory, 9 000 

1 Bobbin factory, 6 000 

Among the improvements made necessary by the growth 
of the place was a new system of water works. On April 
10th a bill was passed incorporating the Cohoes Water 
Works Company, of which Alfred Wild was president. The 
following were named as commissioners : Chas. M. Jenkins, 
Hugh White, Alfred Wild, Egbert Egberts, Jas. Brown, 
Joshua Bailey, Wm. N. Chadwick, Wm. Burton, Henry D 
Fuller, Andrew D. Lansing, Jenks Brown and Truman G. 



1 In 1857, this flrm was succeeded by the Halcyon Knitting Company, and the 
business removed to the new factory on Erie street. 

2 The Strong mill was rebuilt during the year, but did not commence operationB 
till 1857. 



1855. History of Cohoes. 129 

Younglove. By the terms of the charter the capital stock 
was $50,000, wliich niiglit be increased to 1^250,000. The 
company was authorized to make agreements with the 
Cohoes Company for tlie use of water or the purchase of 
its works, and the latter corporation was autliorized to take 
stock in the water works company to an amount not exceed- 
ing $20,000. 

The subscription books were opened in August. Mr. 
James Slade was employed as engineer to make estimates 
on the cost of a new reservoir and reported as follows : 
"A reservoir on Prospect Hill, of a size to contain 1,000,000 
gallons of water, will cost $12,507, exclusive of the land and 
earth of which the banks may be built. The hill belonging 
to Mr. Lansing (Abraham), near lock No. 17, Erie Canal, 
contains 8 acres. A reservoir on this hill to contain 
3,000,000 gallons of water will cost $12,727, exclusive of 
the land." ' 

Some dissatisfaction arose among the citizens in regard 
to the organization of this comj^any. The opinion of many 
was that the water works should be the property of the 
village, and not of any private corporation. Out of respect 
for this feeling against a monopoly, the project was aban- 
doned, no active steps having as yet been taken. The 
pressing necessity of having a more adequate water suj^ply 
still remained, however, and demanded immediate action. 
A new plan was accordingly set on foot, which resulted in 
the preparation, early in 1856, of the first draft of the " Act 
to provide for a supply of water in the village of Cohoes," 
still in force. The commissioners named in the bill were Alfred 
Wild, Chas. H. Adams, Henry D, Fuller, Wm. F. Carter, 



' It is worthy of notice that one of the projects for supplying Albany with water, 
which were submitted by F. S. Claxton, engineer, to the authorities of tiiat city in 
1849, embraced the idea of a reservoir on Prospect Hill. The water was to be 
raised from the Cohoes Company's canals to a reservoir on the hill which was to 
cover two acres of ground, and to be thence conveyed to the distributing reservoir 
in Albany, by means of au indestructible pipe three feet in diameter. 

17 



130 History of Cohoes. 1857. 

Joshua Bailey and Truman G. Younglove. They were 
authorized to take all necessary steps for securing an abund- 
ant and reliable supply of water, and to meet their expen- 
ditures the trustees were authorized to issue the bonds of 
the village to an amount not exceeding $60,000 ; the com- 
missioners were directed to purchase the pipes and hydrants 
belonging to the Cohoes Company, and then in use, and 
were authorized if they found best, to enter into arrange- 
ments for a supply of water fi-om the company's canals. 
The bill at first met with some opposition and a meeting was 
called March 13 to remonstrate against its introduction. The 
chief objections urged were in regard to the term of office 
of the commissioners, the appraisal of lands, and the manner 
of letting contracts. Chas. H. Adams addressed the meet- 
ing in favor of the measure, and satisfactorily explained 
some of the obnoxious passages, and after the appointment 
of a committee to hear arguments for and against it, an 
adjournment was moved. The committee reported the 
following week in favor of the passage of the bill, which 
had been amended in several particulars, and a resolution 
was passed urging its presentation. It was passed April 
12th, but new difficulties arose, which prevented the com- 
mencement of any work until the following year. 

The chief obstacle was a disagreement between the com- 
missioners and the Cohoes Company, which asked $6,000 
for its works, as established, while the commissioners pro- 
posed to pay but $3,000. The company's reason for asking 
|6,000, was that under the new arrangement it would be 
obliged to \)a,j for the use of water in its works which it 
was then drawing from its own canals, a sum equal to the 
interest on that amount. An understanding was reached 
in May, 1857, and the agreement between the parties was 
drawn up and signed by the representative of the company. 
A number of citizens objected, however, claiming that the 
village could be supplied with water at cheaper rates, and 



1857. History of Cohoes. 131 

another series of public meetings followed. A committee, 
consisting of I. F. Fletcher, J. F. Crawford, D. J. Johnston, 
I. Quackenbush, Wm, Burton, H. B. Silliman and G. L. 
Witbeck, was appointed to investigate the subject. Upon 
the presentation of their report June 27th, which stated that 
the best coiirse was to fall back on the proposal of the Co- 
hoes Company, the matter was arranged without further 
controversy. The other plans which the committee had 
considered were : 1st, to purchase a water privilege in 
Crescent, and distribute directly from thence ; 2d, to pur- 
chase the mill privilege owned by I. D. F. Lansing near 
the Cohoes Company's dam ; both of which would entail an 
expense far exceeding the price asked by the Cohoes Com- 
pany for its works, and water rent. Work was accordingly 
commenced on the new reservoir at once, and the contract 
was let in July. The ceremony of breaking ground took 
place August 13, and was thus spoken of in the Cataract: 
"The water commissioners and village trustees together 
with a large number of citizens were present, each trying 
his hand at the plow. After the ceremonies on the grounds, 
the company was invited by Mr, L. VanDercar, the con- 
tractor, to partake of a collation served up at the Hotel in 
Mr. Wilkius's best style ; after which appropriate speeches 
were made and sentiments offered, making it altogether an 
occasion of unusual interest." 

The most noticeable fact in the history of Cohoes manu- 
factures since 1854, was the sudden increase of knitting 
mills. The only accessions of importance to the business 
interests of the place during 1856 were of this character. 
In February of that year Messrs. Willard Bingham and 
Alden &, Frink pui'chased " the vacant lot south of G. L. 
Witbeck's stoi'e," on Mohawk street, and erected thereon 
the knitting mill now standing between Campbell & Clute's 
and Xortli's Block. The building was pushed rapidly 
forward, and the mill, containing three sets of machinery, 
was in operation in July of the same year. Another mill 
was established by Messrs. L. W. Mansfield, John Maxwell 



132 History of Cohoes. 1857. 

and Chas. Hay, who took possession of the building on 
Courthmd street which had previously been occupied by 
Hollister & Co,, as a tobacco factory, and put in operation 
two sets of machinery.! Messrs. Maxwell & Hay did not 
remain long in the firm, and the business was subsequently 
carried on by Mr. Mansfield alone. 

In 1857 still further additions to this branch of business 
were made. The building on Erie street, now occupied by 
the Ranken Knitting Company, was erected by Wm. Burton 
and taken possession of by the Halcyon Knitting Company, 
C P. Barber, agent, which ran four sets of machinery. The 
building, 60 by 60 feet, and five stories high, was de- 
scribed by the Cataract as one of the finest mills in the 
place. Another large mill, 46 by 80 feet, and four stories 
high, was erected by Smith, Gregory & Co., who put in 
operation three sets of machinery. The parties interested 
were Wm. Smith, Wm. M. and Alex. M. Gregory, of Albany, 
and J. R. Bullock, of Cohoes.- Knitting machinery was 
also introduced by R. Hurst, in his mill at the junction of 
Remsen and Mohawk streets. 

Concerning inventions made in knitting machinery by 
Cohoes mechanics, the Cataract of August 16, contained 
the following : 

" We notice by the last number of the Scientific Ame- 
rican, that Augustus J. and Demas Goffe of this village 
have obtained a patent for a new rotary knitting machine. 
This makes the sixth invention of the kind by citizens of 
Cohoes. The first was the old " reciprocating frame," by 
Timothy Bailey, which is still used in the Adams and 
Mohawk River Mills. This was the first power knitting 
machine ever invented, but it was never patented. The next 



> The subsequent occupants of this mill were Alden, Frinlj & Weston, 1862-66; 
Ward & Kobinson, 1866-67; Scott & Stewart, 1867-73. It was destroyed by fire in 
1873. 

' Mr. BuUoclc remained a partner for about two years. Mr. Smith died in 1869, 
and his interest was bought by Jonathan Hiller, the firm name being Gregorys & 
Hiller. After the death of Alex. Gregory, in 1875, the remaining partners became 
Bole proprietorB. 



1857. History of Cohoes. 133 

is that of John Maxwell, which is somewhat similar in con- 
struction and operation to that of Bailey. Then came the 
" warp " machine of S. D. Fairbank, which was followed 
by John Jackson's, also a " warp " machine. These were 
succeeded by a new rotary knitter by Mr. Bailey (the in- 
ventor above spoken of), which has been in operation only 
a few months. The last is that of the Messrs. Gotfe." 

A department of industry connected with the knitting 
business was the manufacture of knitting needles, com- 
menced by Henry Dawson, who located in the latter part 
of the year, in the foundery building on Mohawk street. 

The importance of the cotton interest here was increased 
during the year by the erection of part of the Harmony 
Mill No. 2, having a capacity of 20,000 spindles, and giving 
employment to nearly 500 operatives. It was about this 
time, too, that the hill began to share in the general growth 
of the village. In 1856 the Harmony Company had pur- 
chased from Hugh White his farm of seventy acres on Pros- 
pect Hill, and laid it out into building lots. The erection 
of tenements and private residences followed rapidly. The 
Cataract of Jan. 31st noted the awarding of a contract to 
John Blair and E. Wolford " for twenty-two brick buildings 
on Harmony Hill which will require 1,300,000 bricks." 

In August the Cohoes and Troy telegraph, built by W. C. 
Enos and J. C. Elmore, went into operation. It was managed 
by a stock company, with a capital of llOOO, the officers of 
which were : president, Daniel Simmons ; secretary and trea- 
surer, E. W. Fuller ; directors. Dr. H. L. Landon, Ira Terry 
and Joseph Chadwick. The telegraph office, Henry E. Lasell 
operator, was established in the rail road depot. The first 
despatch passed over the wires August 31st. In October 
H. R. Grant became operator and the office was located in 
his store on Rerasen street. 

Besides the factories already s])oken of, a number of new 
buildings were erected, many of them residences. Several 
new stores appeared on Remsen street, among thera one 



134 History of Cohoes. 1857. 

owned by Joshua Bailey (now by C. II. Adams), adjoining 
Ilayward's building, and one owned by Patrick Gugerty 
(now by Thos. Cartwright), north of the Van Rensselaer 
Block. The latter was noticed in the Cataract as " the first 
marble front in the village." The following statistics of build- 
ings in Cohoes are from the town assessment roll of 1857: 
" The whole number of dwellings is 733, of which 567 
are wood and 166 of brick. 

No. of stores 56. No. of furnaces 1. 

" " factories 21. " " forges 1. 

" " saw-mills 2. " " coal and wood yards 5. 

" " grist-mills 2. " " lumber yards 1." 

In the latter part of the year the great financial panic 
which passed over the country commenced to be felt in 
Cohoes, and had for a time a paralyzing effect on the in- 
dustries of the place. In the Cataract of October 10th, 
an account of the condition of the different manufacturing 
concerns was given. The three cotton mills were running 
on part time, the wages remaining the same except in the 
Harmony Mills, where a reduction of ten per cent had been 
made ; of the knitting mills, four were stopped entirely and 
the remainder were running on reduced time, with the in- 
tention of closing as soon as the stock on hand was finished ; 
S. Bilbrough was running on half time and D. Simmons & 
Co. had discharged one-third of their men. The article 
concluded as follows : 

"It is unnecessary to add that with 2000 of our citizens 
almost entirely out of employment, and the gloomy prospect 
before us, Cohoes presents anything but an agreeable 
picture." The following paragraph appeared Nov. 28th. 
" At present there is no definite prospect that the various 
mills of this village will run full time before spring. With 
the exception of Messrs. Alden, Frink & Bingham's es- 
tablishment, the knitting mills are either finishing up their 
old stock or are stopped entirely. Their mill is running 
two-thirds of the time. In the cotton mills no material 



1858. History of Cohoes. 135 

change has taken place. They are running about two-thirds 
of the time." Elsewhere it was said: "Notwithstanding 
the tightness of the times, the Harmony Company are finish- 
ing up the extensive buildings connected with their mills. 
When they are completed and the plans connected therewith 
executed, their mills will be the most extensive and the 
most perfectly arranged of any in the state." It was feared 
that the embarrassments of Garner & Co., of New York, 
might have a disastrous effect on the Harmony Company, 
but such was not the case. The honorable reputation of 
the house made it an easy matter to secure the necessary 
extensions, and in the early part of 1858 arrangements were 
made with the creditors of the firm by which all their mills 
could be started on full time. Concerning Mr. Garner the 
following appeared in the New York Mirror in October 
of that year: "The splendid carriage and horses which 
were seen in Broadway a few days since with a ticket on 
their backs ' For sale,' belonged to Mr. Garner, who recently 
failed for millions. He has moved from his splendid resi- 
dence in the Avenue to a small two story house in the sev- 
enth ward. This is an example of the right sort." 

The stringency of the times was especially felt by the 
laboring classes, who found it impossible to obtain work. 
The announcement in the early part of November that the 
junction locks were to be rebuilt was hailed with satisfaction, 
as it promised to give employment to a number of men. 

But in spite of this and the other enterj)rises which were 
in progress here, hundreds of laborers were idle during the 
winter, and the suffering was very great. A meeting was 
called February 1st, 1858, to take measures for the relief of 
the poor. The sum of 1 125 was raised at once, and com- 
mittees were appointed to disburse the same and make 
further arrangements. The following gentlemen were de- 
signated to receive contributions: D. J. Johnston, E. W. 
Fuller, Jacob Travis, H. B. Silliman, Jenks Brown, Francis 



136 History of Cohoes. 1858. 

Henderson, T. G. Younglove, H, R. Grant, James Hera- 
street, J. R. Clarke, Wra. Achesou, Joseph Chadwick, S. 
Hayward, G. L, Witbeck. Among the measures taken by 
the committee for tlie aid of the poor, was the establishment 
of a soup-house at the engine rooms in Cataract alley which 
remained in operation some time, and afforded relief during 
the months of February and March to five hundred sufferers. 

In the spring the prospect began to improve. The new 
mills, into which machinery had been placed during the 
latter part of 1857, commenced operations, and several of 
the factories which had been for some months closed were 
started up on full time. During March strikes occurred 
among the operatives in the Harmony and Ogden Mills and 
D. Simmons & Co.'s axe factory, the cause being that the 
reduction in wages made the previous autumn had not been 
completely restored. The differences were settled without 
much difficulty however, and work was resumed in a few 
weeks. 

On March 5th an act introduced by Hon. C. H. Adams, as- 
semblyman from this district, was passed by the legislature, 
" enabling the electors of the town of Watervliet to vote 
by districts for the election of town officers." The third 
district constitiited by this law embraced Cohoes, and the 
citizens were no longer compelled to go out to Van Vran- 
ken's Corners to vote — a change which gave great satis- 
faction, for the country roads were generally in an almost 
impassable condition at the time of holding town elections. 

On the 19th of April, a fire broke out in the picking room 
of the Harmony Mills which for a time threatened the de- 
struction of the entire establishment, but was fortunately 
kept under control by the exertions of the firemen, who 
were assisted by Nos. 4 and 5 of Lansingburg. The 
damage to machinery and building amounted to 110,000. 
The Lansingburg firemen wei-e hospitably entertained by 
the village department, and their services were handsomely 
rewarded by the Harmony Company. 



1858. History of Cohoes. 137 

Another fire, on the ni^ht of May 8th, destroyed the 
" Wilkinson machine shop" with several small outbuildings 
which had been used in connection with the axe factory. 
The building had played an important part in the early his- 
tory of Cohoes manufactures, having been the location at 
different times, of a dozen business enterprises. The occu- 
pants at this date were: Charles M. Carleton, silk weaver, 
John Baker, bobbin turner, G. R. Archer, picker manufac- 
turer, Mr. O'Hare, wagon maker and Porter & Hall, file 
cutters. The total loss was $7,000, of which |4,()00 were in- 
sured. The property was owned by Mrs. C. A. Olmsted of 
New York. The CatorrtcHn describing the fire said: "Our 
firemen were promptly on hand and did most efiicient service 
in subduing and preventing the flames from communicating 
to the adjoining buildings. They are a body of men of 
whom we may be justly proud. Although many excellent 
companies were here from abroad, our noble firemen proved 
themselves equal to any on the ground." 

Another loser by this fire was A. J. Grifiin, who had ma- 
chinery and stock stored in the building to the value of 
$500 or $600, and intended soon to commence the manu- 
facture of sashes and blinds. After the fire his establish- 
ment was located in the mill on Ontario street (now 
Brockway's) which had been recently vacated by Barber 
& Leckie. Another concern occupying the same building 
at this time was the bedstead factory established by Scott 
& Miner, the firm soon afterward being changed to Scott 
& Hildreth.i 

The Cataract for June 5th, contained the following : 
" Our Sprinkler. Any one who contemplates writing up 
the rise and progress of Cohoes, will please bear in mind 
that on Monday, May 31st, 1858, Thos. Van Dercar, an 



' Soon after the death of Mr. Scott in 1863, the business was sold by Mr. Hil- 
dreth to L. Greenman. The latter had for some time as his superintendent, Wm. 
Foote, who had been connected formerly with the bedstead factory established by 
Jeremiah Clute. In 1865, P. S. Holaapple, the present proprietor, became interested 
in the business and assumed sole control February 1869. 

18 



138 History of Cohoes. 1858. 

enterprising citizen, introduced the first street sprinkler, to 
the infinite delight and satisfaction of the citizens, who 
could hardly be restrained from manifesting their gratifica- 
tion by forming a procession and marching in the rear of 
the perambulating shower." 

The block on the corner of Remsen and White streets, 
which had been commenced by Mr. Egberts in April of the 
previous year, was completed this spring. The hall in the 
third story was formally opened on the evening of July 
8th, by a concert given by " the choir of St. Paul's church, 
Troy, and other eminent artists," under the direction of the 
ladies of St. John's church of this place. The programme of 
the evening, which was described as the most attractive ever 
presented to a Cohoes audience, was prefaced by the reading 
of some dedicatory verses, by Mr. Dunham of West Troy. 
Tlie erection of the building, which was then one of the 
finest in the place, was a source of great satisfaction to the 
community, who had long suffered from the lack of a proper 
hall for entertainments. The room in the second story, now 
occupied by the common council chamber, was leased in 
May by the trustees for village purposes, according to a 
recommendation made by President Landon in his annual 
report, in which he stated that, " the trustees will be under 
the necessity of asking at the annual meeting for an appro- 
priation to rent a suitable room in some convenient locality 
for the purpose of meeting, the present room being entirely 
too small for the ordinary transaction of business, it being 
used as a trustees' room, and a room for the board of edu- 
cation, as also for a village library room, and as a place for 
the board of health to meet. Adding the tables, desks and 
book cases of these several departments, renders it totally 
inadequate for the necessities required. The room adjoin- 
ing, occupied by engine company No. 1, is altogether too 
contracted for the use of that company." 

On the evening of Sept. 10th, a meeting was called at the 
Methodist church for the purpose of organizing a Young 



1858. History of Cohoes. 139 

Men's Christian Association, of which H, B. Silliman was 
chosen chairman and W. T. Dodge, secretary. The follow- 
ing were appointed as a committee to draft a constitution: 
Herbert Hastings, Peter LeBoeuf, H. B, Silliman, A. Peck, 
D. H. Van Auken, D. J. Johnston, Jas. H. Masten, Wm. Nut- 
tall, Wm. Williams, Joseph Chadwick. The first officers 
of the association, who were elected Sept. 27, were as follows: 
president, H. B. Silliman; vice presidents, Jno. V. S. Lan- 
sing, I. Quackenbush, C. N. Gregory, H. Hastings and Wm. 
Nuttall; corresponding secretary, C. F. Ingraham; recording 
secretary, W. T. Dodge ; treasurer, D. J. Johnston; mana- 
gers, Wm. Benedict, F. Thompson, Silas Whitney, J. H. 
Masten. 

The completion of the water works received the follow- 
ing comment in the Cataract of Dec. 4. " On Wednesday 
last, December 1st, the water from the new reservoir was, 
for the first time, let into the pipes, and with the most grati- 
fying results. A trial being had for the purpose of deter- 
mining the pressure of the water in the pipes, a stream 
was thrown completely over Root's knitting mill without 
difficulty, and a stream was also thrown in a horizontal di- 
rection one hundred feet. There was but one break in the 
whole length of the pipes laid down and that was not a 
serious one. We consider this an event of local importance 
second to none in the history of our village, and its citizens 
may justly pride themselves on bo valuable an acquisition 
as the Cohoes Water Works." The reservoir, which has a 
capacity of 3,000,000 gallons, covers two acres of ground. 
Under the arrangements then made the water was raised 
one hundred feet from the upper level of the Cohoes Com- 
pany's Canal to the reservoir at the rate of 35,000 gallons 
per hour, passing through 1200 feet of ten inch pipe. A 
large number of pipes were laid, so that including those 
which had belonged to the Cohoes Company, there were 
then five miles of pipes of sheet-iron and cement, from two to 



140 History of Cohoes. 1859. 

ten inches in diameter laid throughout the village ; additional 
fire hydrants were also placed at various points at an aver- 
age distance of four hundred feet apart. The pump house, 
containing accommodations for a hose company, was built 
by P. B. Ferguson and John Mc Enerny, under direction of 
Joshua R. Clarke: Wm. Dickey had the contract for street 
excavations, and Robert Safely that for hydrants and gates. 
The pump was driven by a forty-five horse power wheel, 
designed by E. Geyelin of Philadelphia, and constructed 
by Fuller & Safely of Cohoes who were builders of all the 
pum])ing machinery. It was put in place under superin- 
tendence of T>. H. Van Auken, engineer. The entire cost 
of the works was $60,000. 

In February, 1859, measures were taken for the establish- 
ment of a bank, an institution much needed, and one which 
had been talked of ever since the incorporation of the village. 
The stock, $100,000, was taken almost entirely by citizens 
of the place. The first officers, Avho were elected in jNIarch, 
were as follows: president, Egbert Egberts ; cashier, James 
M. Sill, of Albany; directors, Egbert Egberts, Daniel 
Simmons, T. G. Younglove, Wra. Orelup, Jr., Wm. G. Caw, 
W. F. Carter, J. G. Root, John Sill and C. H. Adams. 

The death of Dr. Henry L. Landon, March 11th, made 
vacant the oftice of president of the village. An election 
was accordingly held by the trustees, which resulted in the 
choice of Jenks Brown to fill the vacancy. 

In April the Reformed Dutch church Avas torn down to 
give place to the one now standing on the site. In demol- 
ishing the building, the tin box was found which had been 
placed there at the laying of the cornerstone in Sept. 1838. 
Among the documents it Avas found to contain was a copy 
of the Bible, of the constitution of the United States and of 
the different states in the union, the catechisms, constitution 
and articles of faith of the Reformed Dutch church, a list 
of those who formed the first consistory and the first build- 



1850. History of Cohoes. 141 

ing committee — a copy of the Albany Aryan and the 
Christian Intelligencer^ and a record of the exercises which 
took place at the time. 

The corner stone of the new church was laid on June 2 2d, 
with the following ceremonies: "The stone was laid by 
Rev. O. H. Gregory, D.D., of West Troy. The script- 
ures were read by Kev. Dr. Pohlman of Albany, and ad- 
dresses were made by Rev. R. Van Brunt of Waterford, 
Rev. Dr. Gregory, and by the pastor Rev. C. N. Waldron. 
The choir of the church, under the direction of Mr. Alden, 
sang several appropriate hymns, and the sabbath school 
children of the church sang one of their favorite pieces." 

The corner stone of the present Methodist church was 
laid June 21st, with appropriate ceremonies. 

Among the subjects which received frequent attention in 
the local columns of the Cataract was base-ball, a game 
then just coming into favor, and one which aAvakened 
considerable interest among the young men here. The 
Vanguard Base Ball Club, followed in later years by the 
Joe Leggett Club, was for some time a flourishing insti- 
tution of Cohoes. Among the most prominent members of 
the Vanguard were A. T. Becker, Dr. G. H. Billings, 1*. 
D. Niver, John McDermott, Isaac V. Fletcher, Joseph 
Almy, Jr., Daniel McElwain, Joseph Chadwick, Wm. 
Arthur, Jr., and Joseph Damond. A number of match 
games were played with neighboring clubs, in which the 
Vanguards had their share of victory. The ground for a 
number of years was on the hill north of Columbia street 
beyond the Central Rail Road. 

During the summer D. Simmons & Co. commenced the 
building of the dyke across the sprout of the river from their 
lower forge to Simmons's (formerly called Demilt's) Island. 
It was constructed for the purpose of relieving theii- wheel 
from backwater and also with a view to oi)ening the island 
to the public. The Cataract said, " Mr. Simmons could 



142 History of Cohoes. 1859. 

not have engaged in an enteri^rise that promises better, as 
it only needs the improvement contemplated to make the 
island lots eagerly sought after, and greatly increase the 
value of his Avater lots in that vicinity." Other improve- 
ments during this year were thus spoken of in the Cataract 
of July 30 : " Good walks are now laid nearly all the way 
on both sides of Remsen street from Factory to Columbia 
streets ; on JMohawk street, from its junction with Remsen 
near Hurst's Mill to A. Ferguson's residence in the lower 
ward (coi'ner of Howard street) and also on White street 
from its intersection with Mohawk to the Erie Canal, to- 
gether with many others on the less important thorough- 
fares. The most of these improvements have been made 
during the past year, and are a commendable evidence of 
local pride and thrift. Besides the above, many places of 
business have been changed, enlarged and greatly improved, 
and many new ones erected." 

The principal new factories of the year were those built 
by T. G. Younglove, on the site of Miles White's axe fac- 
tory. The larger one, which has since been remodelled 
and is now known as the Empire Mill, was commenced early 
in the season. It was of brick, 100 by 40 feet and five 
stories high, and was built by Henry Howarth. It was 
occupied soon after its completion by the Albany Pin Com- 
pany. The building near the river now occupied by A. 
J. Griffin was completed in July. The first story was occu- 
pied by Griffin & Co. (B. A, Glines having been admitted 
as partner), the second story by Scott & Hildreth's bed- 
stead factory, and the third story by North's and Ten 
Eyck's bobbin shop, which had been moved from Park- 
hurst's bedstead factory.' In the building vacated by 
Scott & Hildreth, and Griflin & Co., a knitting mill was 



1 This firm had bought of John Baker. It was succeeded by North & Cheeebro, 
January, 1860 ; North & Bogue, July, 1860 ; Bogue & Clark, 1866, and Asa Clark & 
Son, the last proprietors. 



1859. History of Cohoes. 143 

established by Henry Bi-ockway, who has since made large 
additions to the original structure. ' 

Among the new firms of the year was Wild & Young- 
love, who bought the mill belonging to Isaac D. F. Lansing 
near the Cohoes Company's dam, and established the straw 
board manufactory with which Mr. Younglove has ever 
since been connected. The mill had been for some time 
occupied for a similar purpose. In 1830 coarse wrapping 
paper was manufactured there by a man named Bryce, and 
some years later Gerret R. Lansing (who was succeeded by 
I. D, F. Lansing) commenced making straw board, but 
neither of these establishirents were on an extensive scale.- 

The proper line of Mohawk street had from the earliest 
days of the village been a subject of controversy, and as in 
the case of Saratoga street, encroachments by various par- 
ties were numerous. Before 1833 the Cohoes Company 
owned only the land on the west of the old highway, but 
when in that year they purchased the Demilt tract or 
Factory lot, they proceeded to straighten the line of the street 
in several places. Near Cataract alley the old road ran so far 
to the west that it passed close by the front of the present 
residence of H. S. Bogue, and between Seneca and Oneida 
streets it made a deep bend toward the 'east. Mr. Olmsted, 
who occupied at one time the present residence of M. S. 
Younglove, extended his wooden sidewalk to the corrected 
line of the Cohoes Company, and it made such a prominent 
object in the street that it was known as Olmsted's dock, 
and Olmsted's raft. The efforts of the company were of 
little avail, however, and nearly all the houses on the west 



> Mr. Brockway sold out in 1803, but rebought the property in the fall of '04, com- 
mencing operations the following spring. 

2 A new mill was built in 1863, and in 1860 Mr. Wild retired. The present com- 
pany, with a capital of $85,000, was incorporated June 23, 1875, with the following 
officers: president, T. G. Younglove; secretary and treasurer, D. H. Van Auken ; 
trustees, T. G. Younglove, Geo. Z. Collins, M. S. Younglove, D. T. Lamb, D. H. 
Van Auken, Geo. H. Stewart, Levi Dodge. 



144 History of Cohoes, 1860. 

side of Mohawk street between Seneca and Oneida, extend 
into the street as it was laid out. The following in regard 
to the matter is from the Cataract of April 7, 1860 : "It 
will be remembered that a short time since the village au- 
thorized the corporation counsel, Jas. F, Crawford, Esq., to 
commence legal proceedings against several projierty owners 
whose buildings projected several feet into Mohawk street 
near its intersection with Oneida. The first suit, that against 
H. Bortel, was tried before Squire Hubbard, on Wednesday 
last and resulted adversely to the village ; it being proved 
that Mohawk street was a highway under control of the 
town of Watervliet, and that therefore, the village had 
nothing to do with its boundaries. This will probably settle 
the matter for the present, at least." 

Another suit in which the village was interested, concern- 
ing the appointment of water commissioners, was decided 
in the following month. It had been pending since 1858, 
and had excited much local interest. It was necessary for 
the board of trustees of that year to appoint water com- 
missioners in place of Messrs. Wild and Carter, whose terms 
of office then expired. As the boai*d was equally divided 
in politics it was evident that no appointments could be 
made unless a compromise could be effected. According to 
the water act, vacancies in the water board were to be filled 
by a two-thirds vote of the trustees ; but some of the trus- 
tees were advised by Judge Parker that a majority vote 
would suffice, and accordingly at a meeting held May 3, 
when one of the board was absent, a motion was carried 
that Messrs. J. F. Crawford and Jno. W. Frink be ap- 
pointed to fill the vacancies. This was vetoed the next 
day by President Landon, and at a meeting of the full 
board, held the same evening, Messrs. Wild and Carter were 
declared re-appointed. The matter was carried to the courts, 
where it remained for two years. The final decision of 
Judge Hogeboom was that Messrs. Crawford and Frink 
were rightfully appointed, and they served the remainder 
of their term. 



1859. History of Cohoes. 145 

A marked improvement of tliis year was the increase of 
church accommodations. In January, the alterations in St. 
John's church which had been for some weeks in progress, 
were completed, and were thus noticed in the Cataract : 

" An addition of thirty feet has been made to its length, 
the outside has been neatly painted and new blinds have 
been put up. In the interior a much needed cliange has 
taken place. The increased length of the house gives seve- 
ral additional seats and has much improved its general 
appearance, while the decorations of the ceilings together 
with the beautiful stained glass window in the rear pro- 
duce a fine effect." 

The new Methodist church was dedicated on Feb. 22d. 
Rev. Dr. Haven, editor of Zion''s Herald, preached the 
opening sermon in the morning, which was followed by the 
dedicatory services, participated in by the presiding elder. 
Rev. Mr. Seymour of Waterford, assisted by several emi- 
nent clergymen from abroad. In the evening a sermon 
was preached by Rev. Wm. P. Corbitt of New York. 
Subscriptions towards liquidating the debt of the church 
were taken after each service, amounting in the morning to 
$1,700, and in the evening to $800. The church, which 
has a seating capacity of 800, cost about $30,000. 

The Reformed church was dedicated April 11th. The 
dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Rogers of 
Albany, and was followed by the prayer of dedication, 
offered by Rev. I. N. Wyckoff of the same place. Rev. 
Mr. Dickson, Rev. Dr. Gregory and Rev. Mr. Van Brunt 
of Albany were also present and took jjart in the services. 
Rev. Mr. Seelye of Schenectady occupied the pulpit in the 
evening. The building, which is 98 by 74 feet, and capable of 
seating 850 persons, was erected at a cost of $30,000. The 
architect was L. A. Gouch of Yonkers. The building com- 
mittee were Egbert Egberts, S. A. Becker and Jacob I. 
Lansing. 

In June the Sisters of St. Joseph, an order established 
19 



146 History of Cohoes. 1859. 

the preceding year in connection with the Catholic church, 
took possession of the dwelling on Mohawk street north of 
Cataract alley, now owned by Solomon Stimson, where 
they established the parish school. After the completion 
of the new parsonage of St. Bernard's they removed to the 
building next the old church, which they now occupy. 

There were during this year several important business 
changes. The Ogden Mills property was purchased by the 
Harmony Company, who enlarged and improved the build- 
ings at a cost of 1200,000, giving them a capacity of 30,000 
spindles. ' 

The partnership between Root and Parsons was dissolved, 
Mr. Parsons, with J. H. Parsons as partner, retaining the 
old establishment,'- and Mr. Root commencing the erection 
of a new mill on Mohawk street which was one of the most 
complete in the place. The latter admitted his sons Messrs. 
A. J. and S. G. Root to partnership, and the business was 
conducted under the firm name of Root & Sons. ' 

A new enterprise was Blake & Son's saw works, which occu- 
pied the first, second and third stories of T. G. Younglove's 
new building on Mohawk street. The polishing and grind- 
ing machine in use was the joint invention of Messrs. Blake 
& Dodge of Cohoes. Between forty and fifty dozen wood 
saws were sent to market daily. 

An axe factory was subsequently established by this firm 
in the rear of the saw works which did not, however, con- 
tinue long in opei'ation. 

In the latter part of the year the ilour mill near the old 



' The stock company which had been organized in 1847 failed in 1851, and in the 
I'ollowing year the business came under control of Brown Bros. & Co., who had 
been heavy creditors of the old firm. The buildings passed into the possession of 
the Cohoes Company. The agent under ihe new management was Waterman 
Smith who was succeeded in 1853, by Jenks Brown. 

' After the death of Mr. L. S. Parsons in 1864, the present firm was organized. 

' Mr. Root retired iu 1869, and the Arm became J. G. Root's Sons, and bo remained 
until the formation of the present company, January 1st, 1875. 



1860. History of Cohoes. 147 

junction, owned by G. M. Cropsey & Co., was completed. 
The building was 55 by 30 feet and three stories high.' 

The manufacture of soap was commenced by Walter 
Campbell in the building on Oneida street east of the I'ail 
road, which had some time before been occupied for that 
purpose. - 

The Cataract during the year contained a number of 
communications and articles on the water rents, concerning 
which dissatisfaction had arisen. In one of these, which 
gave some interesting figures in regard to mill property in 
Cohoes, it was shown that the total assessed valuation of 
such property for the preceding year was $476,000, and its 
owners paid a water tax of 1780.25, and that during the 
preceding ten years twenty-one fires had occurred in mill 
pro})erty. 

The census taken during the year showed an increase in 
population since 1855 of 2,694. The number of deaths re- 
ported for the last year was 183. The statistics of manufac- 
tures were as follows : 

Am't capital employed in manf'g, $2,078,500 

Operatives employed in factories, 3,728 

Wages paid monthly to operatives, $53,862 

The remarkable increase in the business activity of Cohoes 
and its material improvement in many particulars, which 
had been the chief characteristics of the period just de- 
scribed, became less noticeable after the outbreak of the 
rebellion in the spring of 1861. Instead of recording con- 
stant evidences of growth, the local columns of the village 
newspaper were devoted mainly to matters connected with 
the war, and items of this sort furnish the principal materials 
for the history of the place during the next few years. 

» This property was bought by Bills and Sage of Troy, March 1864. In the follow- 
ing year it came into the poascBsion of Mills and McMartin of Albany, and subse- 
quently Jas. McMartin, the present owner, became sole proprietor. 

'The subsequent proprietors have been ; M. M. Wilson & Co., 1868, P. D. NIver, 
1874, F. W. Grant, 1875, Mrs. H. R. Grant. 



148 History of Cohoes. 1861. 



vin. 

The Part Taken by Cohoes in the War. 

A-T the opening of the war, Cohoes was not behind 
neighboring towns in manifestations of patriotism, and was 
prompt in the contribution of funds and recruits. The 
first public demonstration was a meeting held in Egberts 
Hall April 25, to raise money for the support of the families 
of volunteers. Egl)ert Egberts was called to the chair, and 
the following gentlemen were chosen vice presidents : Sid- 
ney Alden, C. H. Adams, Wm. Burton, Joshua Bailey, 
John Lyons, T. G. Younglove, H. D. Fuller, W. N. Chad- 
wick, Jas. Hayden, RobertJohnston, Abram Lansing, Henry 
Brockway, Wm. G. Caw. The secretaries were as follows : 
D. J. Johnston, Jas. H. Hasten, Murray Hubbard, M. Mon- 
ahon, S. V. Trull, H. S. Bogue. After prayer by Rev. Mr. 
Spor, a sei-ies of patriotic resolutions was read and adopted. 
The president then stated the object of the meeting, after 
which stirring addresses were made by S. W. Lovejoy, 
Jacob W. Miller, Rev. Thos. Keveney, Rev. Dr. Reed, Rev. 
Mr. Spor, H. B. Silliman, T. G. Younglove and H. D. Fuller. 
Collectors were then appointed, and the following finance 
committee : S. A. Becker, J. R. Clarke, F. Henderson, 
Edward O'Reilly, I. Quackenbush and Wm. Burton ; EdAvard 
W. Fuller was chosen treasurer and the books were opened, 
the subscriptions of those present amounting to |3,135. 
Further contributions were made until within a few weeks 
the fund amounted to nearly $5,000. 

Another evidence of loyalty in a less substantial form was 
spoken of as follows in the Cataract of April 27 : 

" If displaying colors is a manifestation of patriotism the 
people of Cohoes are not wanting in devotion to oiir glorious 
union, for the national banner floats from every prominent 
building in the place, while nearly every man, woman and 



1861. History of Cohoes. 149 

child wears the red white and bhie rosette. On Saturday last 
a beautiful flag was raised over the mill of J. G. Root & 
Co., and impressive speeches were made by L. Sprague 
Parsons, J. W. Miller, C. H. Adams, S. H. Foster, and H. 
B. Silliman, Esqs., while Green's Cornet Band enlivened 
the occasion by playing a number of national airs. A large 
crowd was in attendance whose repeated cheers gave evi- 
dence of their heartfelt appreciation of the sentiments 
uttered by the speakers." 

During the same week flags were I'aised on nearly every 
factory and store in the village, in many instances with 
similar exercises. 

The first detachment of volunteers, consisting of 84 
men under F. Temple, left here for Camp Willard, Troy, 
May 11th. Unfortunately the number of companies called 
for in the state had been offered and accepted before 
Capt. Temple could muster a full complement of men, and 
instead of going as a company from Cohoes, his men were 
forced to join companies already formed, or else stay 
at home. Many of them accordingly enlisted in the differ- 
ent companies stationed at Camp Willard, and went 
with Col. Carr's regiment from Troy. About 45 men 
went from Cohoes, who enlisted in Waterford in Co. A., 
Capt. J. L. Yates, which was assigned to the 22d regiment, 
and 25 more went with the 5th regiment. Gen. Sickles's 
brigade. A large number of men were enrolled in other 
out of town companies during the year. In August 
recruits were enlisted for the U. S. Vanguard Reg't, 
organized in New Yoi-k, and for the Cameron Light Infantry, 
Capt. P. R. Chadwick, formerly of the lib. Reg't, of New 
York, being agent for the latter. Recruiting offices were 
also opened in September by Egbert J. Wilkins and Peter 
Manton, and in October by Lieut. Frank Keating, each 
of which did a large business. A number of men who had 
enlisted in the 4th Heavy Artillery, Col. Doubleday, left 
Cohoes in the latter part of January, 1862. 

On May 10th, the Ladies Aid Society effected a perma- 



150 History of Cohoes. 1862. 

nent organization. Much useful work had been done during 
the preceding year by many ladies who belonged to it, in 
connection with the Ladies Central Association for the 
Relief of the Army, the headquarters of which were in 
New York. During the year regular meetings were held 
for the purpose of making articles needed by the soldiers, 
and contributions from private parties or business firms were 
packed and sent to their destination. 

Recruiting continued during the summer. In July, an 
office was opened by Wm. Shannon, who enrolled some 
sixty men, ' A number of Cohoes men also enlisted in Co. 
H. of the 115th Reg't, then being organized in Crescent 
by Capt. Smith — which drew forth the following com- 
ment from the Cataract : " While we have none but 
the best wishes for Capt, Smith's success, we regret that 
Albany county loses so many from its quota. It seems un- 
fortunate for Cohoes that her volunteers are scattered 
among so many foreign companies, when if they had en- 
listed together they might have numbered a half regiment." 
Even at this early stage of the war it was seen that it would 
be very difficult to obtain accurately the number of soldiers 
which Cohoes had furnished. Frequent reqxiests were made 
in the editorial columns to friends of men who had enlisted 
to hand in their names for publication, and in August a notice 
was published urging the preparation of a complete list of 
soldiers and sailors, and requesting that names be left with 
Postmaster Chesebro, The call of Secretary Stanton for 
300,000 men was issued August 4, and steps were immedi- 
ately taken to fill the quota of the town, so that a draft 
might not be necessary. A recruiting office was opened by 
S, V, Trull, and some SO men were enrolled, who joined 



1 Most of the men enrolled by Capt. Shannon joined the 113th N. Y. Vols., which 
was afterwards known as the 7th N. Y. V. Artillery, to which they are credited in 
the list at the close of this chapter. 



1862. History of Cohoes. 151 

the 30th Reg't ;' by the efforts of Wra. Conliss, some 

12 more enlisted in tlie Corcoran Legion, and a number of 

other recruits joined different companies. 

The militia enrollment of Cohoes, for which the draft 

was to be taken, was as follows : 

Total number enrolled, 768 

Affidavits of persons whose names were enrolled : 

Active firemen, 63 

Exempt, 5 

All other claims for exemption, 15 83 

685 

On Aug. 21st, the board of supervisors voted to con- 
tinue the county bounty to every man who enlisted until 
the quota of the county was made up. 

An enthusiastic war meeting was held at the Cohoes 
Hotel during the same week of which Wm. Leckie was 
president and Michael Monahon, secretary. Addresses 
were made by Prof. Baerman of Troy, Wm. M. White of 
Canaseraga, and L. S. Parsons of Cohoes. Among the reso- 
lutions passed was the following : 

" Resolved, That we recommend to the committee (at 
Albany) to offer an additional bounty of $20 to each man 
who shall be enlisted in any company and accepted, and 
that for that object we pledge our liberal contributions." 

A town meeting was held Sept. 6, at which it was voted 
to raise by tax !|60,000 to enable the payment of a town 
bounty of $100 to every man enlisting until the quota was 
filled. Committees were appointed to make arrangements 



> This company joined tlie regiment at Shaipsburg, Md., Oct. 14th. In May, 1863, 
it waB transferred to the 70 th Kegt. N. Y. Vols. Having made tlie campaigns of 
'03 and '04, the men were tranxlerred to the 147tli N. Y. Vols., Feb. Ist, '05, the 
term of the 70th having expired. With this regiment they made the campaign of 
'05, ending in Lee's surrender. On June 5th, they were mustered into the 9th 
Reg't N. Y. Vet. Vols., with which they returned to Albany, July 0th. In the 
list of soldiers at the end of the chapter the men who enlisted under Capt. Trull are 
all credited to the 76th Reg't, with which they were longest connected 



152 History of Cohoes. 1862. 

for procuring the funds at once — that from Cohoes consistmg 
of Egbert Egberts, Wm. G. Caw, L. S. Parsons and Wm. 
Burton. Besides these bounties, extra inducements to volun- 
teers were offered by numerous private parties ; among whom 
may be mentioned T, G. Younglove, who agreed to pay 
John Stephens of Wm. Shannon's Company |10 per month 
for three years, and paid $\0 each to the first ten recruits 
of Capt. Smith's company, and Alfred Wild, who furnished 
six men, two for Albany and four for Columbia Co. regi- 
ments. The result of these efforts was that the town of 
Watervliet was exempt from the draft which was made Nov. 
10th, having furnished over 800 men since July 2, and paid 
a town boimty of over $35,000. 

The local columns of the Cataract at this time contained 
much interesting matter. Lettei-s from soldiers and sailors, 
either to the editor, or published by permission of friends, 
were a prominent feature and continued to be so during 
the war. ' Considerable space Avas also occupied with re- 
ports of relief committees, lists of subscriptions and other 
matters of the kind. Among the enterprises mentioned 
were two promenade concerts and festivals, held in Sep- 
teniber by the ladies of the Aid Association, Miss E. Howe 
manager, which cleared $260 for the Soldiers' Relief Fund. 
Such efforts as these, however, were but a part of tlie work 
in which tlie ladies were engaged. Boxes of goods or pro- 
visions were being continually packed and sent to the 
Washington hospitals, the headquarters of committees in 
New York, or the soldiers in camp ; money was raised in 
large amounts for contribution to the U. S. Christian Com- 
mission and similar patriotic funds, and in fact every call 
on their benevolence and industry was liberally answered. 

Material for pleasant paragraphs was furnished when 



1 Among the coutributors at different times were Messrs. Joseph and P. R. Chad- 
wick, Myron and James D. Van Benthuysen, L. H. Vermilyea, J. W. Himes, 
Almon E. Stone, Zalmon Van Ness and A. C . Musgrove. 



1863. History of Cohoes. 153 

popular officers were presented with swords by their friends, 
an event of quite frequent occurrence. Among those thus 
favored were Messrs. Hiram Clute, Silas Owen, Jas. O'Hare, 
Wm. Shannon, Frank Temple, A. T. Calkins and Malachi 
Weidman. 

Another subject for items was the scarcity of small change, 
which began to be felt here early in the summer and by fall 
had become a serious inconvenience. A number of business 
firms, among them Alden & Frink and H. Thompson & Son, 
issued shin^ylasters for fractional amounts redeemable at 
their establishments and at different localities in Troy and 
Albany. Smaller concerns issued pasteboard tickets, or 
tokens, and these, together with })0stage stamps, were made 
to answer the purpose of specie. 

During the early part of 1803, few volunteers left Cohoes, 
the ordinary course of business was resumed, and aside from 
correspondence, war matters occupied a comparatively small 
space in the columns of the local paper. It was announced 
March 7th, that at a meeting of the supervisors it was found 
that there was a surplus of 118,000 remaining in the fund 
which had been raised for payment of extra bounties, and 
it was voted to appropriate this sum to the support of 
families of needy volunteers. The amount to which Cohoes 
was entitled under the allotment was 1782. 

The return of the regiments which had enlisted in 1861, 
was made the occasion of public demonstrations. The 2d 
Reg't of Troy, imder command of Col. Carr, which had 
enlisted with 900 men, reached home May IGth with less 
than 300, having been engaged in fourteen battles. The 
Cohoes members received a hearty welcome from the citi- 
zens, which was described as follows : 

*' In anticipation of the arrival of the regiment our citizens 
determined to give the Cohoes boys such a reception as 
would prove to them that their gallant deeds in defence of 
their country were appreciated. Messrs. Wm. Burton, Peter 
Mauton, H. B. Silliman, D. J. Johnston and the officers of 
20 



154 History of Cohoes. 1863. 

the fire department acted as a committee of reception and 
in their arrangements spared no pains to give our brave 
soldiers a most cordial welcome ; while our citizens 
generally suspended business to give all an opportunity to 
join in the festivities. Early on Thursday morning Mohawk 
and Cataract engine companies, headed by the Cohoes 
Cornet Band and accompanied by large numbers of our 
citizens marched to Troy to take part in the reception there 
and escort our heroes home. A special train was chartered 
on the Central Road and about four o'clock they left Troy, 
arriving at our station at half past four, where hundreds of 
friends had gathered to greet them. They were received 
amid the booming of cannon, the ringing of bells, and the 
most earnest manifestations of joy." 

On June 5th the 2 2d Reg't, which had been organized May 
14, 1861, under Col. Phelps, and left Albany 825 strong, re- 
turned with 500 men, liaving been engaged in ten battles. 
Company A, composed of men from Waterford and Cohoes, 
arrived in the former village in the afternoon and was 
hospitably entertained. In the evening the company was 
formally received by the people of Cohoes. The train was 
met at the depot by an immense concourse of citizens, and 
the fire department bearing torches. A pi-ocession was 
formed, that paraded through the principal streets, which 
were brilliantly illuminated. The exercises were concluded 
with an address of welcome, delivered by H. B. vSilliman. 
The return of the 10th (or iV^th) Reg't was spoken of as 
follows in the Cataract, Sept. 5th: 

"The anticipated joy with which the return of the 10th 
Reg't Avas to be welcomed was sadly marred when they 
appeared on Tuesday, by their wretched condition. Worn 
out, decimated by battles and fevers, sick and dying, tot- 
tering feebly or borne by others to their homes, it was 
almost impossible to believe that the splendid regiment 
which left Albany nine months ago over 1,000 strong had 
indeed returned. Not over 250 men could be numbered who 
were in the enjoyment of even moderate health." 

In the latter part of September announcement was made 
of a draft, the quota from Cohoes being given as 93, though 
the enrollment was made for 140 to make allowance for all 



1863. 



History of ('ohoes. 



155 



who might be exempt, Tlie Cataract made the following 
comment : 

" Cohoes, like all other wide-awake towns, has its periods 
of local excitement, which she enjoys or disrelishes, accord- 
ing to their character, with the same zest or repugnance as 
other large towns or cities. The fact that the draft was to 
take place, and had actually commenced, threw many into 
consternation who had lulled themselves into a sort of un- 
easy security because it had been so long in coming; others 
took the matter philosophically and began to cast about for 
some expedient to relieve themselves from its worst con- 
sequences. Early last week an association was formed, 
pledged to pay 175 each for the relief of such of its mem- 
bers as should be drawn. This organization grew rapidly 
in numbers, and before the result was announced, had se- 
cured a membership of thirty-two. (3f this number eleven 
were drawn. If from these the usual proportion are ex- 
empted the amount pledged will cover the commutations." 

The drafted men, 138 in number, were as follows :' 



John Trim, 
Silas Owen, 
John Thompson, 
Tliomas Dallas, 
James Acheson, 
Alonzo Van Arnum, 
G. Vandermark, 
William F. Jones, 
Albert Ten Eyck, 
William Walsh, 
Thomas Mahar, 
Patrick Fay, 
John S. Crane, 
John Mitchell, 
Francis Leboeuf, 
John Cassidy, 
John McCoun, 
Henry Hunt, 
William Fonda, 
Joseph Booth, 



Alexander H. Frink, 
Edward Nichols, 
John Webber, 
Joseph Chad wick, 
Michael Higfjins, 
Charles W. Orelup, 
Ammond Winnie, 



John C'lute, 
John Cahill, 
John Bisconuer, 
John A. Lynch, 
Charles Maguirk, 
Joseph Parker, 
George TeuEyck, 



James L. N. Cranston, Sylvian Pattric, 



William Claffey, 
Lorenzo D. Sanborn, 
Jacob Bishop, 
Frank Lebard, 
Elias David, 
William Smith, 
Thomas Scott, 
John Brian, 
Levi W. Lamb, 
George Brider, 
Tliomas Hogg, 
James Kemp, 



Robert Jackson, 
Robert Cleachem, 
James MciNIurray, 
John Maguire, 
Louis Solon, 
Patrick Gilligan, 
Peter Masta, 
David Colegrove, 
Charles Gregory, 
John t'ondley, 
Isaac Auringer, 
William Sheridan, 



' Up to January Ist, 1864, the following disposition had been made of the drafted 
men : 

Held to service, 40, of whom 1 procured substitute, and 4 paid $300. 

Discharged for disability, 16 

Aliens, 13 

Only sons, 10 

Over age 8 

Otner causes, 8 



156 



History of Cohoes. 



1868. 



Daniel Lanegan, 
Henry Bedford, 
Artemus Pennock, 
John Johnson, 
John Purdy, 
Alvin Clark, 
Cilem Labe, 
Daniel Mcintosh, 
Daniel Seller, 
Edward Ryan, 
Patrick Lacy, 
William Williams, 
William Keffa, 
William Wild, 
Frank McMarr, 
Michael Carter, 
Patrick Rabbett, 
Charles Sims, 
Georpfe Hume, 
Charles Webber, 
Michael McGuire, 
Charles Vail, 
Sidney Deitz, 
Thomas Nuttal, 
Patrick Scully, 
John Hude, 



Edward Kenney 
Edward Bullock, 
Fred. Brigamuel, 
John Robertson, 
George Grierson, 
Peter D. Niver, 
Daniel Simpson, 
L. Underbill, 
James Lackey, 
James McGafferney, 
Matthew Sinophy, 
Hugh Johnson, 
David H. VanAuken, 
John C'hilds, 
Timothy Moore, 
Maurice Whitney, 
Alexander McElroy, 
Adolphus Juber, 
James Traver, 
George H. Wager, 
Patrick Cane, 
Joseph Stephens, 
Samuel Jackson, 
Samuel Candly, 
Lawrence Fitzgerald, 



Malachi Ball, 
John Galvin, 
James Miggins, 
Samuel Lemerick, 
Kearan Agan, 
William I5enedict, 
Richard Wilcox, 
David Wheelwright, 
William Smead, 
Samuel Maguire, 
George Thomson, 
Albert Carr, 
Francis Staats, 
James Finigan, 
John Daymond, 
Thomas Jackson, 
William Kinder, 
John Fulton, 
Albert M. Brown, 
W. Irving Blakely, 
Robert Boler, 
Thomas Griffenty, 
William Conliss, 
Edward Bumhower, 
William Mulcahy, 
Theophilus Fountain. 



John Johnson, 

The reason of such a large draft being levied in Cohoes, 
was that no especial inducements were made to encourage 
volunteers, so that many men from here enlisted in Troy 
where large bounties were offered. In the latter place 
no draft was made, their qiiota being filled, with a hundred 
men to spare. 

Another call was issued in October by the president for 
300,000 men to be furnished before January 1st, 1864, and 
earnest efforts were made to enroll sufficient volunteers in 
the town to avoid the necessity of another draft. New re- 
criiiting agents were appointed by the committee at Albany, 
Malachi Weidman and John Doyle being among those 
in Cohoes, and additional inducements were offered. The 
bounty for veteran recruits was fixed at $552, and for new 
recruits at |377. In addition to this, the supervisors offered 
an extra bounty to volunteers of $300. A town meeting 
was held Dec. 10, recommending the raising by tax of a 
sufficient sum to enable the payment of the same allowance 



1864. History of Cohoes. 157 

to those who had been drafted, as to those who might be 
drafted under the new call. A meeting was held in Cohoes 
a week later, of which W. F. Carter was president and D. 
H. Van Anken, secretary, to protest against such action as 
unjust, since in many cases the extra compensation would 
be unnecessary. The citizens were in favor, however, of 
granting such relief as might be needed by men drafted 
from this village, and, among others, passed the following 
resolution : " On motion of Wm. G. Caw, seconded by S. 
A. Becker, the sum of ten thousand dollars (the amount 
recommended by the trustees for the relief of the drafted 
men of this village), be and the same is hereby ordered to 
be raised by tax upon the taxable property of this village." 
A committee of six was appointed to ascertain the number 
of enlisted men which should be credited to the village 
quota, and see that their names were duly entered. The 
quota under the neAV call was 71, one-third of which had 
been secured by enlistments since the last draft. 

In January, 1864, a call was made for 200,000 more men, 
the quota for Albany county being 993. The county 
bounty of $300 Avas continued, and the efforts to obtain 
recruits renewed with vigor ; and on March 1st it was an- 
nounced that the quota of the county was filled, Avith a 
surplus of several hundred. 

In July 500,000 men were called for, to be furnished before 
Sept, 1st. Under this call the quota of Albany county after 
deducting the surplus above mentioned was 1,600. Messrs. 
Weidman & Doyle were reappointed recruiting agents in 
Cohoes, and the work commenced in earnest. The supervi- 
sors offered a bounty of $900, for volunteers for one year, 
and the sum of $100 to every person who should bring for- 
ward an accepted recruit. This proved a strong inducement, 
and the county escaped the draft, Cohoes having done 
her full share in contributing recruits. Eighty-six men 
left in the 91st Reg't, about ten in the 12th N. Y. Cavalry, 
and a number of others in different regiments. 



158 History of Cohoes. 1865. 

The continued successes of the Union army during the 
campaigns of the ensuing fall and winter, and the series of 
brilliant victories in the spring of 1865 which marked the 
overthrow of the rebellion, awoke general enthusiasm. The 
news of each triumph was received here, as elsewhere, with 
the greatest rejoicings. The demonstrations on the occa- 
sion of the capture of Richmond were thus described in the 
Troy Daily Times^ April 3d. 

" Yesterday's war news so completely sixrprised the peo- 
ple of Cohoes that they were unable to control themselves. 
In honor of the occasion the flags were raised from nearly 
every stafl:", and some of the mills hung flags from their 
roofs. Bells were rung and whistles blown for about half 
an hour. In the evening there was a grand demonstration 
by the citizens generally. They formed a procession headed 
by a band and paraded the principal streets, the band play- 
ing patriotic airs. Illuminations and bonfires in the evening. 
The operatives in some of the mills turned out to help 
honor the event. Richmond is ours !" 

Similar demonstrations followed the announcement of 
Lee's surrender, April 7. Another public meeting was held, 
and ajDpropriate speeches were made by H. B. Silliman and 
other citizens. The village was yet in the midst of these 
rejoicings, when like a thunderbolt came the news of the 
assassination of the president, which cast a gloom through- 
out the place. Private residences, stores and factories were 
draped in mourning, and on the day of Mr. Lincoln's 
funeral there was a general suspension of business, and ser- 
vices were held in the different churches. On April 25th, 
when the remains lay in state in the Capitol at Albany, they 
were visited by hundreds of our citizens. 

The restoration of peace added unusual interest and sig- 
nificance to the celebration this year of the 4th of July, 
and in Cohoes the demonstration was unusually large. The 
following is a summary of the account of the exercises 
given in the Cataract : 



1865. History of Cohoes. 159 

" The weather was all that could be desired, clear and 
pleasant. As no pains had been spared by the Hon. C. H. 
Adams, president of the day, and the committee of ai-range- 
ments, the details of the celebration were perfect, and 
nothing occurred to mar the harmony of the occasion. 
The day was ushered in by the national salute and ringing 
of bells. At half past ten, the procession, under direction 
of the marshal, H, Brockway, Esq., and his assistants, 
Adj't Malachi Weidman, Capt. Thomas Calkins, Capt. F. 
Keating, Capt. Wm. Shannon, W. Mallery, Wm. Manning, 
Wm. Conliss, C. Houlihan, Jas. Acheson and Michael 
Monahon, commenced moving in the following order : 

1. Co. 7, 1th Heavy Artillery, jSF. Y. V. 

This veteran company under command of Capt. Jas. 
O'Hare, made a fine appearance and commanded the plau- 
dits of the citizens along the entire line of march. 

2. The Car of Liberty. 

This contained the Goddess of Liberty, surrounded by 
her guardians, art, science, agriculture, etc., and thirty-six 
young ladies representing the states, v 

3. Fire Department. ^"'^-^ ,_^ 

4. Committee of Arrangements^ Orator., Header and 
Village Officials. 

5. St. JBernard''s Sunday School. 

6. The Trades. 

The exercises on the island were opened with prayer by 
Rev. A. J. Bingham. The Declaration was then read by 
P. D. Niver, and an oration delivered by Kev. A. T. Pierson, 
of Waterford." 

Soon after the close of the war, a number of prominent 
citizens of Albany commenced making efforts to procure 
the erection in that city of a Hall of Military Record, in 
which should be preserved the names of all soldiers who 
had enlisted from this state, accounts of the services of 
individuals and regiments, and all documents, relics or 
mementoes in any way connected with the war. Circulars 
were addressed to the different supervisors, and contribu- 
tions solicited. The Cataract, in coiinnenting on the entei*- 
prise, said : "We trust and believe tliat this town, which 
occupies so prominent a place among those that contributed 
largely in men and in money to bringing the late struggle 



160 History of Cohoes. 1865. 

to a successful and glorious close, will not be behind in an 
undertaking, the design of which is to perpetuate in memory 
not only the noble deeds of her heroes, but also those of 
the entire state." The project, which was carried out, was 
in many particulars very successful. It was found im- 
possible, however, to obtain accurate records of the soldiers, 
and in spite of years of labor the lists of many places are to 
this day imperfect — Cohoes, unfortunately, being among the 
number. The census of the village in 1865, gave the 
number of soldiers residing here at the time of their enlist- 
ment as 514, but no complete record of their names and the 
regiments to which they belonged has been preserved. As 
before mentioned, Cohoes received no credit for much that 
she did towards the suppression of the rebellion ; many men, 
because no company \\ as forming here, or for the sake of 
large bounties, went to other places — in some cases out of the 
state — to enlist, while others who were enrolled in Cohoes, 
are credited to Waterford, Albany or Troy, and very often 
under the general head of Watervliet. 

The names given below have been obtained, for the greater 
part, from scattered notices in the columns of the Cataract; 
some in response to advertisements published in the city 
papers during the past autumn, and a number of others from 
miscellaneous sources. The list is very far from being com- 
plete, and it seems impossible at present to obtain one which 
shall be so. The preparation of a full and accurate record 
will demand a great deal of time, and careful research, and 
it is to be hoped that some one Avith leisure to devote to it, 
will undertake the labor: 

Albion, James, Aug. 1862, Co. I, 7th Vol. Artillery. 

Alston, Wm., " " " " " " also 2d Regt. N. Y. Vols. 

Ablett, James W., " " " " " 

Augsburg, David. Sept. 1864, Co. K, 91st N. Y. Vols. 

Adams, Daniel M., " " " " " " 

Arthur, Wm. Jr., " " Co. H, 4th Heavy Artillery. 

Arnold, Jonathan D., " " " " " " 

Abbey, Chas. E.. " " " " " " 

Ablett, Wm. H., 1863, 4th N. Y. 

Adams, George M., Co. A, 119th Reg't N. Y. Vols. 



1865. History of Cohoes. 161 

Abbey, Wm., May, 1861, Co. E, 2d N. Y. Vols. 

Aberhart, John, " " " " " " 

Acheson, John, " " " " " " 

Austin, Geo., Sept., 1863, Co. A., 7', ,i N. Y. Vols. 

Ashdovvn, Arthur, Jan. 18, 1862, Co. K., 93d N. Y. Vols. 

Atridg-e, Thomas C. Nov., 1862, Co. D, 177lh N. Y. Vols. ; also Sept., 
1868, in 95th N. Y. Vols. ; also Nov., 1866, in Co. H, 69th U. S. In- 
fantry. 

Adams, Cortland, Pioneer, June, 1861, Co. A, 22d N. Y. Vols. ; also 12tli 
N. Y. Cavalry. 

Andrae, Michael, fall of 1861, in 88th N. Y. Vols., Navy in 1863, and 
in 1864, in 175th N. Y, Vols. 

Ackley, Oscar L.,' Aug., 1862, Co. H, 115th N. Y. Vols. 

Agan, John, " " 125th or 192d Regiment. 

Alcombrack, Jacob, Griswold Cavalry. 

Bray, Joseph, Aug., 1862, Co. I, 7th Vol. Artillery. 

Bailey, Joshua, " " " " " " 

Blum, Wm. H., " " " " " 

Baker, Chas. H., Sept., 1864, Co. K, 91st N. Y. Vols. 

Bentley, Chas., " " " " " " 

Bennett, Napoleon, " " " " " " 

Bush, Lewis, Aug. 1862, 125th or 192d Reg't. 

Bulson, Geo., " " " " " 

Bayard, Augustus Willard,"' " Co. H, 115th N. Y. Vols. 

Brock way, Geo. E. , " " " " " 

Blair, Fred'k, Co. H, 4th N. Y. Heavy Artillery. 

Bennett, John, " " " " " " 

Bagley, Wm., " " " " " " 

Buckley, Jas., Co. I, " " " " 

Bannon, Jas., " " " " " " 

Brooks, Wm., " " " " " " 

Buchanan, Wm. Lieut.,i Aug., 1862, 76th N. Y. Vols. 

Brown, Peter A., " " " " " 

Buchanan, John C, " " " " " 

Brierly, John,' " " " " " 

Boss, Chas., " " " " " 

Baker, John A., " " " " " 

Bradshaw, Geo., " " " " " 

Brodt, Wesley,* " " " " " 

Ball, Jerome, " " " " " 

Boucher, Geo. , " " " " " 

Brower, Geo., " '• " " 

Barlow, Samuel, " " " '* " 

Brennan, Dennis, May, 1861, Co. E, 2d N. Y. Vols. 

Bray, Wm., " " " " " 

Buchanan, Geo., " " Co. L, " " " also Co. A, 23d 

N. Y. Vols. 

Buregard, Oliver, Co. H, 56th N. Y. Vols. 

Brown, Albert, 9th Heavy Artillery. 

Bryan, Hugh, May, 1861, Co. A, 22d N. Y. Vols. 

Benson, Egbert C, " Co. H, 10th or 177th N. Y. Vols. 



1 Dead. 

21 



162 



History of Cohoes. 



1865. 



Beaver, Lawrence, Co. F, 30th N. Y. Vols. 

Bump, Alonzo, 1861, 77tli Saratoga Battalion. 

Bouchard, Frank, 2d N. Y. Cavalry. 

Barrett, John, Jan. 14, 1863, Co. D, 4th N. Y. Heavy Artillery. 

Barrett, Edward S., 1861, Co. D, 90th N. Y. Vols. 



Ausr. 18 



1863, Co. I, 7th N. 



Y. V. Artillery. 



Clark, J. B., 
Corcoran, J., 
Carpenter, Philip H., 
Christie, James, 
Connolly, Samuel, 
Connolly, James, 
Connolly, Edward, 

Calkins, A. T., Serg't, May 19, 1861, Co. A, 22d N. Y. Vols. 
Clute, Hiram, Lieut.,' " " " " " 

Condron, Wm., Sept. 17, 1863, 175th N. Y.Vols. 
Cowden, Geo., " " " " " " 

Connors, John, Sept. 28, " " " " 

Cranston, Jas. L. N., Sept., 1864, Co. K, 91st N. Y. Vols. 
Craig, F.B., " " " " " 

Condron, James, " " " " " " 

Cahill, James, " " " " " 

Cole, Lorenzo S., Co. H, 4th N. Y. Heavy Artillery. 
Cline, Wm. H., 

Cranston, Wm. H.,' Aug., 1863, 76th N. Y. Vols. 
Caisse, Joseph, " " " " " 

Craig, Wm., " " " " " 

Cole, James,' " " " " " 

Crossley, Robert, " " " " " 

Carpenter, Wm. G., " " " " " 

Carpenter, Albert F., " " " " " 

Cain, John, " " " " " 

Chambers, John, " " " " " 

Collier, Wm., 
Chadwick, Joseph, 
Carr, T., 

Costello, Joseph, 

Casey, Thos. B., " " " " " 

Cole, Geo., " " " 

Clark, Joseph, Co. L., 13th N. Y. Cavalry. 
Cope, Wm., " " " " " 

Cox, Andrew, Aug. 9, 1861, 88th Hlinois Vols. 
Cole, Abram V., 93d N. Y. Vols. 

Carroll, John C, Lieut.,' 1862, Co. D, 6th N. Y. Cavalry. 
Cavenagh, John V., U. S. Navy. 
Carpenter, Lorenzo, 43d N. Y. Vols. 
Coleman, Silas B., U. S. Navy. 

Crandall, Burton H., Aug., '62, Co. I, 53d N. Y. Vols. 
Cady, Peter v., " " 135th or 192d N. Y. Vols. 

Clute, Adam, 1861. Co. B, 10th or 177th N. Y. Vols. 

Chadwick, P. Remsen, 1861, 7th Reg't of N. Y. ; entered service 
same year as adj't of 100th N. Y. Infantry from Buffalo; promoted 



May 17, 1861, Co. E, 2d N. Y. Vols. 



Dead. 



1865. History of Cohoes. 163 

to be ass't adj 't gen. in 18G3 ; appointed provost marshal gen. of 

Florida, 1863. 
Cole, Aaron, 42d N. Y. Vols. 
Cliadwick, Joseph, 1861, U. S. Navy ; served on the Wyandank, of 

the Potomac flotilla, and on the sloop of war Ossipee. 
Coleman, Joseph, 12th Reg't Ohio Vols. 
Coleman, John, May 32, 1861, Co. A, 30th Reg't N. Y. Vols. ; also 

May 4, '66, in Regular Army. 
Coleman, Morris, 6th New Hampshire Vols. 
Coleman, Thomas, Co. A, 30th Reg't N. Y. Vols. 
Drysdale, Geo., Aug., 1862, Co. I, 7th N. Y. V. Artillery. 
Doyle, M., " " " " " " 

Darrow, David M., " " " " " " " also 12th 

N. Y. Cavalry. 
Dailey, Jeremiah A., Corporal, Aug., '62, Co. 1, 7th N. Y. V. Artillery. 
Danaher, Maurice, Sept. 17, 1862, 175th N. Y. Vols. 
Donovan, Michael, " " " " " " 

Deroche, James, 1864, " " " 

Donahue, Wm., Aug., 1863, 21st N. Y. Qriswold Cavalry. 
Davis, Thos., " " " " 

Drysdale, John, Sept., 1864, Co. K, 91st N. Y. Vols. ; also 169th N. Y. 

Vols. 
Dorr, David, Sept., 1864, Co. K, 91st N. Y. Vols. 

Deroche, , 4th N. Y. Heavy Artillery. 

Dietz, Stephen, " " " " 

DeLaney, John, Aug., 1862, 76th N. Y. Vols. 

Downing, Michael, " " " " " 

Deuel, George, " " " " " 

Denio, Henry, " " " " " 

Dennis, Nicholas, " " " " " 

Dunn, Thomas, " " " " " 

Dowd, Patrick, " " " " " 

Derby, Wm., May 17, 1861, Co. E, 2d N. Y. Vols. 

Dunn, Edward, " " " " " " " 

Dodge, Joseph C, 1861, Co. H, 10th or 177th N. Y. Vols. 

Doyle, Geo. H., 

Doyle, Chas. F., 

Durham, Henry, 1862, 25th N. Y. Vols., Capt. Kingsley's Co. 

Driscoll, Simon P., 42d N. Y. Vols. 

Durham, James,' 3d N. Y. Vols. 

Diehl, Geo.,' 77th N. Y. Vols. 

Dumell, Alfred, Feb., '65, Co. A, 47th N. Y. Vols. 

Daley, Dennis, 1864, Co. K, 91st N. Y. Vols. 

Daley, John, 1863, Battery B, 55th Ohio. 

Davenport, Geo, 1861, 77th Saratoga Battalion. 

Davenport, John, " " " " 

Davenport. Chas., " " " " 

Davenport, James, " " " " 

Eastham, Thos.,' Aug., '62, Co. I, 7th N. Y. V. Artillery. 

Eccles, Francis T., •' " " " " " " 

Eccles, Samuel P. , " " " " " " 



» Dead. 



164 History of Cohoes. - 1865. 

En Earl, Merrit D., Sept., 1864, Co. K, 91st N. Y. Vols. 

Evans, Joel, " " " " " " 

Everts, J. D., Co. I, 4tli N. Y. Heavy Artillery. 

Egan, Owen, " " " " 

Egnesperry, Francis, Aug., 1862, 76tli N. Y. Vols. 

Ebah, John,' 

En Earl, Jolin H., 

Eastham, Henry, " " " " " 

Eagan, Kyran, " " " " " 

Ensign, H. A., Musician, Hancock Brigade. 

Eastwood, John H.,' May. '61, Co. A, 32d N. Y. Vols. 

Ellison, Robert, " " Co. E, 2d N. Y. Vols. 

Ellis, Elihu, Dec. 9. '61, Co. D, 1st N. Y. , Heavy Artillery. 

Falardo, Dennis L., Jan. 18, 1865, Co. G, Vermont 7th Vet. Vols. 

Falardo, Daniel, " " " " " " " " 

Frost, James, Aug., 1862, Co. I, 7th N. Y. V. Artillery. 

Farthing, F. E., " " " " " " " 

Frost, Robert, " " " " " " " 

Flannigan, , " " " " " " " 

Finlay, John, " " " " " " " 

Fonda, Geo. F., Serg't May, '61, Co. A, 22d N. Y. Vols. 

Fletcher, Leonard G., Corporal, " " 

Fairbank, J. W., Q. M. Serg't, " " 

Foster, Wm., " " 

Flannigan, Geo., " " 

Fry, Edwin A., Sept., 1864, Co. K, 91st N. Y. Vols. 

Fitzpatrick, Daniel. " " " " " " 

Farrell, Matt, 4th N. Y. Heavy Artillery. 

Ferguson, Wm., " " " " 

Fallon, Peter, Aug., '63, 76th N. Y. Vols. 

Fabyan, H. G., " " 

Falardo, John " " " " " 

Fonda, Gilbert M., " " " " " 

Flynn, John,' 1861, Co. H, 10th or 177th N. Y. Vols. 

Frisby, Robert W.,> " 

Fletcher, Wm., " " " " " " 

Fairbank, David, " " " " " " 

Finlay, John, 2d N. Y. Vols. 

Fletcher, Thos., May, '61, Co. E, 2d N. Y. Vols. 

Frost, Norman W., U. S. Navy. 

Forward, John, " " 

Farrell, Edward, Sept., 28, 1862, 175th N. Y. Vols. 

Fonda, E. Raymond,' Aug., 1862, Co. H, 115th N. Y. V^ols. 

Falardo, Onesime, " " 125th " " 

Fletcher, Jerome, 123d " " 

Frazier, P. , Hancock Brigade. 

Fowler, T. S., Lieut., 77th N.Y. Vols. 

Finlay, Charles. 

Fowler, Ralph, 1st U.S. Engineers. 

Gooch, Thomas,' Aug. 18, 1862, Co. I, 7th N. Y. V. Artillery. 

Gauthier, Joseph, " " " " " " " 



» Dead. 



1865. History of Coiioes. 165 

Gauthier, F., Aug. 18, 1863, Co. I, 7tli N. Y. V. Artillery. 

Green, Clias. D.,' " " " " " " " 

Qillis, J., " " " " " " 

Gormley, Robt.,' " " " " " " " 

Goodfellow, Jas. H., May, 1861, Co. A, 22d N.Y. Vols. 

Gordon, Van Olinda, " " " " " 

Green, Geo., Musician, Hancock Brigade. 

Green, Otis, R. " " 

Greason, Egbert, 4th N.Y. Heavy Artillery. 

Gallapo, Joseph, Co. H, " " " " 

Genore, J. H., Co. E, " " 

Gauthier, Peter, " " " " 

Greason, Rdward,i Aug., '62, 76th N. Y. Vols. 

Greer, John.i " " " " 

Greenwood, Wm., May, '61, Co. E, 2d N. Y. Vols. 

Good water. Vital, Co. H, " " " 

Green, John, died in Andersonville. 

Goodrich, Fred. S., 115th N. Y. Vols. 

Gould, Alfred, Aug., 1862, Co. H, 115th N. Y. Vols. 

Green, Chas. N., Sept., '64, Co. K, 91st N. Y Vols. 

Galbraith, James.' 

Gage, William H. L., Jan'y 4, 1864, Co. B, 16th Regt. N. Y. Heavy 

Artillery. 
Hart, Richard, Jr., Aug., 1862, Co. I, 7th N. Y. V. Artillery. 
Howarth, John, " " " " " " 

Halpin, James, " " " " " " 

Hastings, Herbert,' " " " " " " 

House, Rosen J., May, 1861, Co. A, 2'?d N. Y. Vols. ; also Sept. '64' 

Co. K, 91st N.Y. Vols. 
Hemphill, Henry, May, 1861, Co. E, 2d N. Y. Vols ; also 1864 in 71st 

N. Y. Vols. Sickles's Brigade. 
Hatcher, Thomas, Musician, Hancock Brigade. 
Harvey, Ruel, Sept., 1864, Co. K, 91st N. Y. Vols. 

Hill, Joseph, " " " " 

Hemstreet, Russell, " " " " 

Hemphill, Jas. T., " 
Higgins, Michael, " " " •' 

Hayward, John, " " " " 

Hayward, Chas., " " " " , 

Hughes, Michael, " " " " 

Haley, Joseph, Aug., 1862, 76th N. Y. Vols. 

Helmrick, Joseph, " " " " " 

Hovcard, Geo. W., " " " " " 

Hay, John W., 

Heffern, Christopher, " " " " " 

Hibbert, Henry C., " " " " " 

Hopkins, John, " " " " " 

Handy, Isaac F., 1861, Co. H, 10th or 177th N. Y. Vols. 

House, Theodore M., " " " " " " 

Hewson, Edward, " " " " " " 

Himes, Jehial W., " " " " " " 

Hardenbrook, Chas. C, " " " " " " 

•Dead. 



166 History of Cohoes. 1865. 

Harvey, James,' 128th N. Y. Vols. 

Hartnett, Daniel, Jr., March 30, 1865, Co. C, 192d N. Y. Vols. 

Hay, Francis, 9tli Artillery. 

Himes, Jas. K. P.," Aug., 1863, Co. H, 115th N. Y. Vols. 

Hodgson, Kendall, " "2d N. Y. Vols. 

Hodgson, Lester,' May 14, 1861, " " " 

Hemphill, John. May, 1861, Co. E, 2d N. Y. Vols. ; also Co. H, 22d 

Vols. 
Heady, Wm., " " " " " " 

Hanson, Q. VV., Co. I, 4th N. Y. Heavy Artillery. 
Hudson, Beuj., 1861, 77th N. Y. Vols. 
Henderson, Jolin, June, 1861, Co. B, 30th N. Y. Infantry. 
Hodgson, John,' Oct. 11, 1861, Co. B, 93d Regt., N. Y. Vols. 
Hill, Barney, Co. F, 30th N. Y. Vols. 
Hemphill, Thomas, 1864, 169th N. Y. Vols. 
Jerome, Louis, Co. H, 4th N. Y. Heavy Artillery. 

Jump, Joseph E., " " " " " also in 10th 

or 177th Regt., also in 25th Regt. 
Jackson, John, Aug. , 62, Co. I, 7th N. Y. V. Artillery. 
Johnson, Samuel, May, 1861, Co. A, 22d N. Y. Vols. 
Jackson, Wm. B.,' Sept., 1864, Co. K, 91st N. Y. Vols. 
Johnson, Michael H.,' 1860, flag ship Sabine, U. S. N. 
Jerome, Joseph, 1861, 10th or 177th Regt. 
Jump, Jos.. " " " " 

Keegan, F., Co. I, 4th N. Y. Heavy Artillery. 
Kelly, Michael, " " " " 

Keeler, Philip,' 50th N. Y. Vols. 

Keefe, Thomas, Aug., 1862, Co. I, 7th N. Y. V. Artillery. 
Kelly, Patrick, Sept., 1864, Co. K, 91st N. Y. Vols. 
Keefe, John, May, 1861, Co. E, 2d N. Y. Vols. 
Knox, Geo., 10th Regt., N. Y. Vols. 

Keating, Francis, Lieut,,' 25th " " " 

Kelly, John, Aug. 12, 1862, Co. H, 10th N. Y. Vols. ; also 1863, Co. H, 

4th Heavy Artillery. 
Lanahan, John, Co. F, 30th N. Y. Vols. 
Lefferts, Geo., Aug., 1862, Co. I, 7th N. Y. V. Artillery. 
Long, Wm.,' " " " " " •' " 

Lannigan, M., " " " " " " " 

Lawrence, Robt. W., Sept., '64, Co. K., 91st N. Y., Vols. 
Linnen, Thos. , " " " " " " 

Loughery, Hugh,' Aug., 1862, 76th N. Y. Vols. 
Lee, John, " " " " " 

Lannigan, Thos., May, 1861, Co. E, 2d N. Y. Vols. 
Latta, Thos., " " " " " " 

Latta, John, " " " " " " 

Leflferts, Geo., Jr., " " " " " " 

Lowe, Chas., 1861, Co. H, 10th or 177th N. Y. Vols. 

Lansing, F. A., " " B, " " " " " 

Lounsberry, Nicholas D.,' 30th N. Y. Vols. 
Lynch, John, May 19, 1861, Co. A, 22d N. Y. Vols. 
Land, John E., April, 1861, 14th N. Y. Vols., 5th Brigade. 



> Dead. 



1865. History of Cohoes. 167 

Lounsberry, Charles. 
Long, Michael. 
liOunsberrv, Jas. 

Lounsberry, Robt., Aug., 1862, 125th or 192d N. Y. Vols. 
Lynch, Bartholomew, Co. H, 4th N. Y. Heavy Artillery. 
Lamey, Michael, 77th N. Y. Vols. 

Mangliam, Michael, Aug., 1862, Co. I, 7th N. Y. V. Artillery. 
McCusker, John, " " " " " " " 

McDonald, James, " " " " " " " 

McManus, James, " " " " " " " 

McCarty, John,' May, 1861, Co. A, 22d N. Y. Vols. 

McCready, John, " " " " " " 

Manning, Egbert A., " " " " " " 

Monk, Oliver, " " " " " " 

McDowell, Rob't, " " " 

Murphey, Thos. A., Co. H, " " " Promoted to 

orderly serg't June 9, '63, and to be major of colored troops May, '64. 
McVey, Patrick, Aug., 1863, 21st N. Y. (iriswold Cavalry. 
Mooney, Peter, " " " " " " 

Moore, John, " " " " " " 

Mahar, John, " " " " " " 

Manning, Daniel F., Sept. '64, Co. K, 91st N. Y. Vols. 
Mallery, Willard, " 

McCulloch, Chas., " 
McGovern, Rob't, " 

McCready, Geo. B., " 
McDermott, Patrick, " 
Molamphy, Hugh, " 
Morrison, Wm., " 

Murphy, Wm., " 

McManus, James, Co. H, 4th N. Y. Heavy Artillery ; also 7th Artillery. 
Mayhew, Geo., Sr., " " " " " 

Murray, M., Co. I, " " " " 

Miggins, James, " " " " " 

Molamjihy, Rody, " " " " 

Mills, Wm., Aug., 1862, '76th N. Y. Vols. 

Melahy, Michael, " " " " " 

Manning, Wm., " " " " " 

Miller, Lyman, " " " " " 

Manning, James F , " " " " " 

Mclviunon, Wm. R., " " " " " 

Murphy, Martin, " " " " " 

McGaffin, James, May, 1861, Co. E, 2d N. Y, Vols. 
Mooney, Daniel, " " " " " " 

McMahon, Patrick, " " " " " " 

Murray, Michael, " " " " " " 

McCullock, Wm., " " " " " 

Murray, Henry, " " Co. D, " " " 

McGaffin, John,> 1861, Co. H, 10th or 177th N. Y. Vols. 

Mather, Geo., " u « « ,, 



'Dead. 



168 History of Cohoes. 1865. 

McDonald, Frederick, 25tli N.Y. Vols. 

Mavhew, Geo., May 31, 1863. 25tb N. Y. Vols. ; also Oct. 30, '62, in 
177tli N. Y. V. ; also Jan. 4, '64, in N. Y. Artillery. 

Monk, Edward, 12th N. Y. Cavalry. 

McCleary, Daniel B., " " " 

Mooney, Peter B., Sept. 17, 1863, 175tli N. Y. Vols. 

Manton, Patrick, " " " " " " 

Monroe, Gordon, Musician, May 1, 1861, 3d Vt. Vols. 

Mangham, J.' 

Moran, Jas., Battery D, 1st Artillery. 

McGuire Thos., Aug. 13, 1863, 48th Mass. Vols. 

McGuire, John, " " " " " " 

McCready, Edward, enlisted at Albany as substitute. 

McCarthy, John, 8tb N. Y., Cavalry. 

Musgrove, Abbot C.,' Aug., 1863, Co. H., 115th N. Y. Vols. 

McMullen, , Aug., 1862, 135th or 192d 

Munro, Thos., U. S. Navy. 

McCabe, . 42d N. Y., Vols. 

Moore, J. W., was the first volunteer officer who left Cohoes, having 
received his commission as oargeon, April 28, 1861. Was assigned 
to Col. Frisby's regiment and resigned soon after to take a position 
in the Navy, sailing from New York, May 25th, as fleet surgeon 
of the Chesapeake flotilla. In 1862, was transferred to the U. S. S. 
Vermont, doing duty in the North Atlantic blockade. In 1863, was 
allowed to resign his position, to accept an appointment as physician 
in the Philadelphia U. S. Gen. Hospital, where he remained one year. 

Monk. \ H., 10th N. Y. 

Monk, \jreorge, N. Y. Regiment. 

McCormick, John, enlisted 1862, Co I, 10th N. Y. Cavalry. 

Mooney, Thos., 2d N. Y. Vols. 

Notman, James, April 18, 1861, 2d N. Y. Militia ; also Aug. 10, '61, 
Cameron Dragoons. 

Nugent, Thomas, engineer 52d Mass. 

Nichols, A., Aug., '63, Co. I, 7th N. Y. V. Artillery. 

Nelson, Nicholas, May, 1831, Co. A, 22d N. Y. Vols. 

Nolan, John B., Sept. 17, 186!.. 175th N. Y. Vols. 

Nichols, Edw'd, Aug., 1863, 21st N. Y. Grisvold Cavalry. 

Naery, Peter, Sept., '64, Co. K, 91st N. Y. Vols. 

Norton, Geo. H., Co. D, 30th N. Y. Vols 

Norton, Hiram C. Co. H, 3d N. Y. Vols. 

Norton, Wm. P., Co. C, 177th " 

O'Hare, Jas., Lieut., Aug., 1863, Co. I, 7th N. Y. V. Artillery. 

O'Brien, J., " " " " " " " 

O'Day, Simon,' " " " " " " " 

O'Hearn, Timothy, Sept. 17, 1863, 175th N. Y. Vols. 

O'Donnel, Thos., " " " 

O'Hare, Hugh, IT. S. Navy. 

O'Neil, John, May, 1861, Co. E, 2d N. Y. Vols. 

Osterhout, Henry,' 1861, Co. H, 10th or 177th N. Y. Vols. 

Ostrander, Lorenzo, 1861, " " " " " 

O'Neil, Thus., 25th N. Y. Vols. 



» Dead. 



1865. History of Cohoes. 169 

O'Brien, \N m , enlisted on field at Gettysburg, 93d Indiana, having 
deserted from the rebel army. 

O'Brien, Patrick, 112th N. Y.'Vols. 

O'Brien, Michael, 63d " " 

Owen, Silas, U. S. Navy, went to sea in May, 1855, as third apprentice. 
Ordered to the Memphis in 1861, and as master's mate, served 
two years. Was promoted lo be ensign in 1863, and was transferred 
to the Potomac flotilla, having command of the Primrose. Dis- 
charged Nov. 25th, 1865, with the rank of acting master. 

Parks, Robert, Aug., 1862, 76th N. Y. Vols, 

Parks, James, " " " " " 

Pindar, John, " " " " " 

Plantz, Geo. H., Sept., 1864, Co. K, 91st N. Y. Vols. 

Peck, Wm., " " " " " " 

Paisley, Thos., 5th Artillery, N. Y. 

Paisley, John, " " " 

Pynes^ Thos., Co. D, 25th N. Y. Vols. 

Porter, Jonathan G., May, 1861, Co. A, 22d N. Y. Vols. 

Powers, David, Sept. 17, 1862, 175th N. Y. Vols. 

Putnam, Lewis, Corporal, Co. I, 4th N. Y. Heavy Artillery. 

Pulver, Wm. H., May, 1861 , Co. E, 2d N. Y. Vols. 

Pitcher, D., 1861, Co. H, 10th or 177th N. Y. Vols. 

Paxton, Thos., June 15, 1861, Co. E, 1st Long Island Reg't. 

Potter, Lewis, June 4th, 1861, 2d Vet. N. Y. Cavalry. 

Quinliven, Michael, 30th Reg't and in Aug., 1863, transferred to 76th 
N.Y. Vols. 

Ryan, James, 1st N. Y. Mounted Rifles. 

Reed, Wm., May, 1861, Co. E, 3d N. Y. Vols. 

Robinson, Joseph, " " " " " 

Rooney, Bryan, " " " " " 

Redmond, Michael, Serg't, " " " " " 

Russell, Joseph, " " " " " 

Reinbart, Harvey, Sept., 1864, Co. K, 91st N Y. Vols. 

Roberts, Henry, " " " " " " 

Rider, Earl D., " " " " " 

Rider, Geo. H., " " " " " 

Rafferty, John,^ " " " " " " 

Robinson, James, Aug., 1862, 76th N. Y. Vols. 

Riley, Hugh, " " " " " 

Richards, Henry, " " " " " 

Rollowine,Fred'k, Co. H, 4th N. Y. Heavy Artillery ; also as substitute 
in Albany. 

Riley, James, Aug., 1862, Co. I, 7th N. Y. V. Artillery, 

Roberts, Wm., " " " " " " 

Redmond, J., " " " " " " 

Rignor, Alfred, May 19, 1861, Co. A, 22d N. Y. Vols. 

Riley, Lawrence, Aug., 1863, 3l8t N. Y. Griswold Cavalry. 

Reynolds, John. 

Riley, Jeremiah, Co. F,30th N. Y. Vols. 

Russell, James, Serg't, May, 1861, Co. B, 2d N. Y. Vols. 

Russell, John, Pioneer Corps. 



' Dead. 

22 



170 History of Cohoes. 1865. 

Syms, Thos. J., Aug. 18, 1863, Co. I, 7th N. Y. V. Artillery. 

Shannon, Wm., Captain, " " " " " 

Scully, M.H., " " •• 

Shipley, Geo.* " " " " " 

Stevens, John, " " " " " 

Shaughnessy, John, " " " " " 

Scofield, Joseph, " " " " " 

Svvartz, John B„ 1st Serg't, May 19, 1861, Co. A, 22d N. Y. Vols. 

Shaffer, Fred, " " " 

Spain, Roger, " " " " " 

Stevenson, Geo., " " " " " 

Simpson, Clark, Co. H, " 

Skinkle, Wm. L., May, 1861, Co. E, 2d N.Y. Vols. ; also in 4th Heavy 

Artillery. 
Smith, John H., May, 1861, Co. E,2d N. Y. Vols. 
Scully, John H., " " " " " 

Stapleton, John, " " " " " " 

Seaport, Christian, " " " " " " 

Scovill, Chas, Co. H, 4th N. Y. Heavy Artillery. 

Shortsleeves, Joseph, " " " " " also 10th or 

177th N. Y. Vols. 
Shortsleeves, John, Co. H, 4th N. Y. Heavy Artillery. 
Stevens, James K.,' " " " " " 

Shaw, Christopher, " " " " " 

Shaw, Isaac, " " " " " 

Sitterly, Martin, Co. I, 

Sitterly, Henry, " " " " " 

Sitterly, G., " 

Stacy, D. H., 

Shepard, Chas., " " " " 

St Onge, Treffle, 

Sager, Staats A., Aug., 1862, 76th N. Y. Vols. 
Sheridan, Bernard, " " " " " 

Snell, Joseph, " " " " " 

Shaw, Albert, " " " " " 

Sitterly, Abram, " " " " " 

Sharp, A., 1861, Co. H, 10th or 177th N. Y. Vols. 

Shields, Thos., " " " " " 

Safely, A. F., M.D.,i " " " 

Shepard, Joseph, Sept., 1864, Co. K, 91st N. Y. Vols. 
Scott, Wm., " " " " " " 

Steenberg, Marvin, Aug., 1862, Co. H, 115th N. Y. Vols. 
Smith, A. W., 

Smith, Michael, Aug. 1st, 1862, 125th or 192d N. Y. Vols. 
Scott, Roger, " " " " " " " " 

Shields, Peter, Sept. 17, 1862, 175th N. Y. Vols. 
Shields, John, Aug., 1863, 21st N. Y. Griswold Cavalry. 
Sager, Alexander, U. S. Navy. 
Storer, Chas., 169th N. Y. Vols. 
Slater, James, U. S. Navy. 
Shannon, Richard, 12th N. Y. Cavalry. 

> Dead. 



1865. History of Cohoes. 171 

Silcocbs, John E., Nov. 1st, 1861,93d Regt. N. Y. Vols., Nov. Ist, 
1863, transferred to U. S. Signal Corps ; re-enlisted in 192d N. Y. 
Vols. 

Smith, Martin, Co. E, 7th N. Y. Regt. Heavy Artillery. 

Tuthill, Clarence, Aug., 1862, Co. I, 7th N. Y. V. Artillery. 

Tuthill, Edward, " " " " " " 

Tuthill, Daniel D.,' " " " " " " " promoted to 

Sergt. 

Turner, Adam,' " " " " " " " 

Travis, Chas. S., Sept., 1864, Co. K, 91st N. Y. Vols. 

Tompkins, Monroe, " " " " " " 

Tracy, Pat'k " " " 

Tracy, John, " " " " " " 

Trull, Stevens V., Quartermaster, Aug., '62, 76th N. Y. Vols. 

Taylor, Ammon, " " " " 

Torongeau, Louis,' " " " " 

Tourville, Chas., " " " " 

Tompkins, Wesley,' " " " " 

Taylor, John H., " " " " 

Tripp, Wm., " " " " 

Taylor, Jacob A.,' 10th or 177th N. Y. Vols. 

Taylor, Alonzo, " " " " 

Tapler, Alonzo, " " " " 

Torrey, Geo. W., 3d Corporal, May, '61, Co. A,22d N. Y. Vols. 

Telfair. Wm. H., 

Troy, John. Co. H, 4th N. Y. Heavy Artillery. 

Tobin, Rob't, " " " 

Taylor, Robert,' Sept. 17, 1862, 175th N. Y. Vols. 

Temple, Frank, May 1861, Co. E, 2d N. Y. Vols. 

Taylor, John, 2d N. Y. Cavalry. 

Travers, Michael, Dec, 1853, Co. D, 7th N. Y. H. Artillery. 

Upham, Willard, Sept., 1864, Co. K, 91st N. Y. Vols. 

Upham, Geo. VV.,' " 

Van Denberg, Wm. H.,' 1861, Co. B, 10th or 177th N. Y. Vols. 

Van Dermark, Jas., " " " " " 

Van Vliet, Geo. E.,' " " 

Vincent, Hiram, May 19, 1861, Co. A, 22d N. Y. Vols. 

Van Der Werken, James, " " " " " " " 

Van Der Cook, John H.. Aug., 1862, Co. H, 115th N. Y. Vols. 

Van Der Cook, Geo. , " " " " " " 

Vermilyea, Le Roy, Sept., '64, Co. K, 91st N. Y. Vols. 

Vanlouven, Nathaniel, " " " " " " 

Van Benthuysen, Myron, Aug., 1862, 76th N. Y. Vols. 

Van Benthuysen, James, " " Co. I, 7th N. Y. V. Artillery. 

Van Steenberg, VV., Oct., 1861, Ass't Surgeon, Ist N. Y. Vols. ; pro- 
moted Oct. '62, to be surgeon, 55th N. Y. V. ; transferred March, 
'63, to 120th N. Y. V. 

Van Hagen, Jesse,' Co. K, 34th N. Y. Vols. 

Westover, J., Aug., 1862, Co. I, 7th N. Y. V. Artillery. 

Wormwood, C. F., " " " " " " " 

Warhurst, Samuel, " " " " " " " 



'Dead. 



172 



History of Cohoes. 



1865. 



Walker, Isaac, Aug., 1862, Co. I, 7th N. Y. V. Artillery. 

Welch, Michael, " " Co. E, " " " 

Welch, John,' " " " " " " 

Weidman, Malachi, May 19, 1861, Co. A, 22d N. Y. Vols. ; promoted 

to be adjutant, 1863. 
Weidman, Wm., May 19, 1861, Co. A, 22d N. Y. Vols. 
Wood, Giles B., " " " 

Whitney, Sheldon, " " " Co. H, " " " also 2d N. Y. V. 
Winters, John, Aug., 1862, 76th N. Y. Vols. 
Wood, John,' " 

Whipple, Madison, " 
Whitney, James, " 
Whitney, Geo., " 
Waterhouse, Job, " 
Welch, Nicholas, " 

Westover, Chas. E ,^ Co. H, 4th N. Y. Heavy Artillery. 
White, John, 93d N. Y. Vols. 
Wall, J., Co. I, 4th N. Y. Heavy Artillery. 
Wilcox, Alexander, May, 1861, Co. E, 2d N. Y. Vols. 
Welton, Fred'k, 

Wands, Jas. B., 10th N. Y. V., also 25th. 
Welch, Michael, Sept., 1864, Co. K, 91st N. Y. Vols. 
Wilson, James,' Aug., 1862, Co. H, 115th N. Y. Vols. 
Woolhizer, Fred'k., Aug., 1863, ^Ist N. Y. Griswold Cavalry. 
Wickham, Joseph,' 118th N. Y. Vols. 
Walters, Thos. Lieut.,' Co. C, 97th N. Y. Vols. 
Welch, John, prisoner. 

Wildrlcks, Thos., Dec, 1863, flag ship Hartford, U. S. Navy. 
Young, James,! Aug., 1862, Co. I, 7th N. Y. V. Artillery. 
Yates, J. L., Captain, May, 1861, Co. A, 22d N. Y. Vols. 



1 Duad. 



1861. History of Cohoes. 173 



IX. 

1861 TO 1865. 

X^URING the early years of the rebellion the local 
columns of the Cataract recorded few events of importance 
aside from those connected with the war. The feeling of 
uncertainty and apprehension which prevailed among busi- 
ness men prevented large investments of capital in new 
enterprises, and until 1863, there were but slight signs of 
progress in the place. 

During 1861, especially, there \^qvq, few notable local 
occurrences. A fire on the morning of March 25tli destroyed 
the picking room of the Harmony Mills, which had been 
burned two years before. By the exertions of the fire 
department, assisted by Hudson Hose Company of Water- 
ford, the flames were prevented from communicating to 
the other buildings. The damage to stock, etc., was 
$10,000, insured. Another fire, July 15th, destroyed the 
saw mill of Wm. Burton & Co., at a loss of |8,000. En- 
gines from Lansingburg and Waterford and the Ranken 
steamer from Troy were in attendance and pi-evented the 
destruction of the adjoining veneering mill. 

Among the new business establishments of the year was 
the brewery on Saratoga street below the state yard pro- 
perty, which afterwards was conducted by Tighe & Robin- 
son and .John Tighe. In the latter part of the year, the 
paper mill of Chas. Van Benthuysen, on the site of Fuller's 
bedstead factory, was completed and commenced operations 
in -Jan., 1862. It was entirely destroyed by fire Feb. 
loth, at a loss of |25,000. The cause was the spontaneous 
combustion of some cotton waste stored in the fourth story. 
Mr. Van Benthuysen at once made arrangements for rebuild- 
ing, but not on so extensive a scale as before. 



174 History of Cohoes. 1862. 

In February a bill incorporating the Cohoes and Troy 
Horse Rail Road Company was introduced in the legisla- 
ture by a number of Troy capitalists. John A, Griswold 
was elected president and O, H, Arnold vice president of 
the company. Considerable oj^position to the project was 
at first manifested in Cohoes, the citizens believing that the 
trade of home merchants would suffer largely, and also that 
the laying of track through the streets would lower the 
value of property along the route. The friends of the bill 
had a heai'ing before the trustees, who appointed J. F. 
Crawford to appear in their behalf before the legislature. 
Mr. Crawford prepared several important amendments, which 
were accepted by the incorporators, and were probably 
satisfactory to Cohoes people, for no further remonstrance 
was made. 

Another matter, which received considerable comment in 
the Cataract during the summer, was a dead lock in the 
board of trustees, which j) re vented the transaction of any 
public business from April 28th to Oct. 6th. The board 
was evenly divided in politics, and several members absented 
themselves so that a quorum could not be obtained. 

A new knitting factory was established during this year 
by L. W. Mansfield, who rented the building now known as 
the Empire Mill and put in operation three sets of machin- 
ery. ' Mr. Mansfield's establishment in the tobacco factory 
building on Courtland street, passed into the hands of Alden 
Frink and Bingham. 

In January, 1863, the Cohoes Skating Association, the first 
institution of the sort in the place, was organized with 
the following ofiicers : Winsor Stone, president ; Rodney 



1 As a matter of interest in the history of this mill it may be mentioned that mid- 
day union prayer meetings were held in its seaming rooms for nearly two jears 
with an average attendance of forty persons. In the winter of 1865, a course of 
Bocial singing was inaugurated, at each evening of which from three to five hun- 
dred persons were present. 



1863. History of Cohoes. 175 

Wilcox, vice-president ; A, T. Becker, secretary ; P. D. 
Niver, treasurer ; Daniel McElwain, Edward Shepard, 
Joseph Chadwick, Peter Manton, Levi Dodge, directors. 
A lease was obtained of the pond north of Simmons's dyke, 
and suitable buildings and enclosures were erected. ' 

This year was marked by a number of changes in Cohoes 
business firms, and several important additions to the manu- 
facturing interests of the village. 

In January, Geo. Campbell, foi-merly of the firm of Gage, 
Campbell & Gage of Waterford, with John Clute as partner, 
leased the building formerly occupied by Jeremiah Clute's 
bedstead factory, and established a machine shop therein. 
In March, the property at the (Corner of Ontario and Rem- 
sen streets was pui'chased by Messrs. Joseph Chadwick and 
Geo. Warhurst, who converted it into a knitting mill.'- In 
June, the erection of C. H. Adams's mill on Ontario street, 
one of the most complete in the place, was commenced. It 
is of brick, four stories high, and 50 by 100 feet. The firm 
of C. H. Adams & Co. was dissolved, S. D. Fairbank 
retiring on account of ill health, and Mr. Adams continued 
the business alone. '^ The Watervliet mill, which he vacated, 
was leased for 10 years by Alden Frink & Weston, who 
had also become proprietors of the Halcyon Mill in the 
early part of the year. Another enterprise in which this 
firm became engaged was the manufacture of axes. The 
factory belonging to Jonas Simmons, near the rolling mill, 



' A Bkating park was established two years later on Oneida street, between Van 
Kenseelacr and Saratoga si reels, which remained for some time in successful ope- 
ration. Mr. McElwain was priiicipiilly interested in its management. Tlic latest 
institution of the sort was established in Uecenibor of the present year, by A. Paul. 

5 Mr. Warhurst retired in 18tj7, his interest being bought by VVm. N. Chadwick. 
P. R. Chadwick was subsequently admitted to partnership, and the present Arm of 
Chadwick <fc Co., formed. 

' The present proprietor, John Wakeman, succeeded Mr. Adams in January, 1870. 



176 History of Coiioes. 1868. 

was purchased by them, and the firm of W. J. Ten Eyck 
& Co, organized, in which they hekl the controlling interest. ' 

A new knitting mill, Wra. Conliss and John Carter pro- 
prietors, was also started in the building formerly used by 
Wightman & Youmans as a wheel factoiy. 

On August 15th the corner stone of the new St. Bernard's 
church, the site of which had been purchased by Father 
Keveney in 1861, was laid by Bishop (now Cardinal) 
McCloskey, with imposing ceremonies. 

On August lYth Hurst's woolen mill on Mohawk street 
was destroyed by the most disastrous fire with which Cohoes 
has ever been visited. It caught in the picking room, 
located on the first floor near the stair case, and owing to 
the combiistible character of the contents of the mill and a 
high wind which prevailed at the time, spread rapidly from 
floor to floor, cutting off almost every means of escape. 
Within five minutes after the alarm was sounded the entire 
east end of the building, containing the only stair case, was 
a sheet of flame. The stairs were very narrow, so that but 
few were able to pass down, and the only means of exit was 
by jumping from the windows, in doing which many sus- 
tained severe injuries. Three of the oj^eratives, Margaret 
Downey, Anna Lyons and Catharine Donnelly, were unable 
to escape, and perished in the flames. The death of the 
latter was one of the most terrible features of the fire ; she 
attempted to escape from a third story window, but her 
clothing became caught on the steam pipe under the window 
sill, and all efforts to free her being futile, she was burnt to 
death in the sight of hundreds who were powerless to aid 
her. Some twenty of the operatives were seriously injured. 



1 Oo the failure of Alden Frink & Weston, iu 1SC6, the Ten Eyck M'fg Co. was 
organized with the following officers: David Cowee, president; Geo. R.Seymour, 
treasurer; R. H. Thompson, secrelary ; W. J. Ten Eyck, superintendent. This 
company suspended iu ISTS, and In the following year the factory was taken by 
Williams, Ryan & Jones. Their successors have been, Sheeban, Jones & Co. , 
Jones & Ryan, and (July 1st, '74), M. H. Jones & Co. 



1863. History of Cohoes. 177 

The firemen, aided by four companies from Waterford and 
Lansingburg, and the Ranken steamer from Troy, succeeded 
in preventing any serious damage to adjoining buildings. 
Mr. Hurst's loss was $27,000 of whicli $18,000 was insured. 
This calamity gave rise to a gi'eat deal of inquiiy and news- 
paper comment in regard to the means provided for escape 
from our factories in case of such disasters, and had the good 
result of causing the erection of adequate fii'e escapes in all 
the mills of the place. 

During this summer the horse rail road was in process of 
construction. It was the original intention of the comjjany 
to have the Cohoes terminus located at the Catai'act House, 
but this was abandoned, as not being feasible. The rails 
were laid as far as the junction on the 10th of October, and 
an excursion car was run over the road on that day. In the 
following week Mr. Simons disposed of his interest in the 
omnibus line to the company. He had been engaged in the 
business for fifteen years, and under his management the 
Troy stage became an institution of great convenience, 12 
round trips daily having been made since 1859. The com- 
pletion of the road was thus spoken of in the Cataract : 

" It is one of the most important events that mark the 
progress of our village in the career of improvement. We 
know of no good reason why it may not be made advanta- 
geous to the place. True, it may tend to divert ti'ade to 
the city, but it will also bring the patrons of our manu- 
factures nearer and create a condition and feeling of intimacy 
between the business men of the two places, that has not 
hitherto existed." 

The road was well patronized and soon took precedence 
over other modes of conveyance. Ever since the completion 
of the rail road running from Albany to the junction, the 
trains had entered the village of West Troy by means of a 
Y track, and stopped at the depot, a short distance from 
the ferry. The establishment of the horse railway, however, 
BO far diminished their business that the railroad company 
discontinued the practice of backing down the Y after Dec. 
23 



178 History of Cohoes. 1863. 

21, 1863. The track was torn up, but has recently been re- 
laid for the accommodation of the Albany and Troy locals. 

The objections to street rail roads seem to have been 
speedily overcome, and the example of the Troy capitalists 
was contagious, for in the same year the Waterf ord and Co- 
hoes Horse Rail Road Co. was organized by gentlemen 
from Cohoes and Waterford. The Cohoes representatives 
on the board of directors were Hugh White, Wm. F. Carter, 
Wm. G. Caw, Isaac Quackenbush and Wm. M. White. The 
stock, amounting to |25,000, was soon taken, articles of as- 
sociation were duly filed, and the right of way obtained 
from the village trustees. Another company, composed, 
with the exception of T. G. Younglove, of capitalists from 
Troy and Lansingburg was organized the next year, which, 
said the Cataract^ " proposed to at once commence active 
operations." Nothing more definite, however, resulted than 
a quarrel between the two companies, which ended the con- 
sideration of the project for the time being. ' 

The first movement of importance towards the incorpo- 
ration of Cohoes as a city was made in Jan., 1864. A meet- 
ing was held in the trustees' room on the 2 2d, of which L. S. 
Parsons was chairman and S. Hayward, secretary. Re- 
marks were made in favor of the project by Wm. G. Caw, 
and on motion of Sherebiah Stiles, a committee of fourteen 
was appointed to ascertain the feelings of the citizens in re- 
gard to the matter, and the steps necessary to be taken. The 
citizens were evidently not favorably inclined, for no further 
mention of the project was made for some time. 

The following notice of the destruction of an old house 
was published in the Cataract of Jan. 30: 

" The building known as the Old Junction House below 



1 still another company was organized Oct. 24, 1871, with the following directors : 
C. H. Adams, D. J. Johnston, il. S. Bogue, Murray Hubbard, E. L. Stimson, Jas. 
P. Crawford, Henry Brockway, J. W. Himes, Jas. B. McKee, N. W. Frost. C. F. 
North and John Wakemau of Cohoes, A. J. Griffin, of Waterford. The capital 
Stock was $25,000. 



1864. History op Cohoes. 179 

this village, formerly owned by Alfred Phelps, Esq., took 
fire about 7 o'clock last Sunday evening, and was totally 
destroyed. It had recently been purchased by the Horse 
Rail Road Co., and was undergoing repairs preparatory to 
being converted into a residence for their employes. Loss 
$1,000, and no insurance. The building was one of the 
oldest land-marks in this neighborhood, and had a wide 
notoriety as the scene of operation of the Junction Banking 
Association of years ago." 

Numerous improvements in the manufacturing establish- 
ments attested the good condition of business during the 
year. Mr. Van Benthuysen commenced the erection of an 
addition to his paper mill, south of the first building, 60 by 
100 feet in size. The Troy M'f'g Co., who had become pro- 
prietors of the Bailey Mill, built an addition 50 by 125 feet, 
and four stories high, having a front of 50 feet on Ontario 
street, and thus doubled the capacity of their factory. The 
axe factory of Ten Eyck & Co. and Jonas Simmons's rolling 
mill were also materially enlarged. The latter establish- 
ment had never been in complete running order until this 
season. Mr. Simmons took Edward N. Page as a partner 
and commenced operations in the spring, employing 40 men, 
and manufacturing five tons of iron per day. ' 

The Harmony Company built an addition to the Ogden 
Mills, 60 by 80 feet, and five stories high, connecting the two 
original buildings. They also erected a cotton house 40 by 
150 feet on Mohawk street. 

The manufactiire of paper boxes, which has since become 
quite a prominent branch of Cohoes industry, was com- 
menced in July, by L. R. Dubuque & Co. in the second 
story of Egberts's Hall. On Aug. 1st, a similar establish- 
ment was started by Manning & Clute in the building on 
Remsen street now occupied by Targett & Co.^ 



» In March of the following year Mr. Simmons's interest was purchased by MeserB. 
Morrison & Colwell of Troy, who organized the present firm of Morrison, Colwell 
& Page. 

« After one year this firm sold to L. R. Dubuque & Co. who continued until the 
spring 011867, and then sold to Isaac Clute, the present proprietor. 



180 History of Cohoes. 1864. 

It bad for some time been the intention of Mr. Egbert 
Egberts, to whose public spirit Cohoes is indebted for a 
number of substantial improvements, to found an academy 
here which should be the leading educational institution of 
this vicinity. To this end a bill was introduced in the leg- 
islature, which was passed May 24, to incorporate Egberts 
Institute. The trustees of corporation were to be the pas- 
tors of the Protestant churches in Cohoes, the following 
being named in the bill as first trustees : Chas. N. Waldron, 
J. H. Hobart Brown, Fred'k W. Flint, Henry L. Starks, 
Wra. H. Maynard. Provision was made in the bill for en- 
dowment of the institution by Mr. Egberts to such amount 
as he might see fit. At the first meeting of the trustees, 
held May 18, Rev. Dr. Waldron was elected president, and 
committees were appointed for selection of a principal and 
preparation of a course of studies. Deeds were received 
from Mr. Egberts conveying to the Institute the building 
on White street, east of Egberts Hall, which had been com- 
pleted some time before, and the property on Remseu street 
just north of the hall, which had formerly belonged to W. 
Twichell. The Institute, under direction of Rev. A. B. 
Bullions, was opened for the reception of scholars Sept. 8th. 
The publication of the Cataract was discontinued from 
Jan. to Aug. 1865, and the only means of learning the local 
events diiring that time is from out of town papers. There 
appear to have been few occurrences of importance, how- 
ever, aside from the rejoicings and excitement attending 
the close of the war. 

A fire on June 1st, destroyed Conliss & Carter's knitting 
mill near Ontario street, and several small buildings adjoin- 
ing, occupied by H. Thompson & Son's mill ; B. Mulcahy's 
blacksmith shop, and Warner's needle factory. The mills 
of the Troy M'f'g Co., Clifton Co., and Henry Brockway, 
were seriously threatened at times but were saved by the 
exertions of the firemen, who were assisted by the Ranken 



1865. History of Cohoes. 181 

Steamer Co. of Troy. The losses were as follows: Conliss 
& Carter $7,000, Thompson & Son $3,000, H. Brockway 
11,000, B. Mulcahy |200, Warner $300. 

On July 1st, the capital police law went into effect, and 
was welcomed with great satisfaction as an improvement 
on the system of village constables formerly in vogue. 
The police district according to this law was divided into 
two parts, the Albany division and the Troy division. 
The latter contained six precincts, three in the city of Troy, 
and the remainder in adjacent villages. The Cohoes pre- 
cinct embraced Cohoes, Green Island, and a part of Water- 
vliet. The first members of the force in this village were: 
sergeants, Wm. Buchanan, John McDermott; patrolmen, 
Francis S. Staats, John Richmond, Moses Pickering, Gus- 
tavus Bailey, Wm. Hastings, Jas. Delve and Michael Long. 
The station house was established in Hay ward's building, 
corner of Remsen and Ontario streets. ' 

The Young Men's Christian Association, which for some 
time had not been in a flourishing condition, was reorganized 
in March, and the first ofiicers elected in August as follows 
president, D. J. Johnston ; vice president, H. B. Silliman 
Cor. Sec'y, Wm. S. Smith ; Rec. Sec'y, Albert Ten Eyck 
Treas., Jas. H. Masten. The association rented the second 
story of Quackenbush's building, corner of Remsen and 
Oneida streets, and fitted up a commodious reading room. 

The necessity of improvements in the fire department had 
been for some time felt. It was evident that the hand en- 
gines in possession of the village were entirely inadequate 
in case of a conflagration of any size, and ever since the 
burning of Hurst's Mill the matter had been frequently 
agitated. The working of the Ranken steamer of Troy, 
which had been present at several fires here, gave general 
satisfaction, and there was a strong feeling in favor of pur- 
chasing a similar engine. An offer was made by the Har- 



» In May, 1806, it was removed to its present location corner St. John's alley and 
Mohawk street. 



182 HiSTOKY OF COHOES. ' 1865. 

mony Co. to furnish a first class steamer if the other 
manufacturers of the village would subscribe enough to 
purchase another ; and also to furnish a house and equip- 
ments for one engine, without expense to the village. No 
action was immediately taken on this liberal offer, and the 
citizens were content for this year with the addition to the 
department of a Hook & Ladder Co., the organization of 
which had been for some time desired. 

Prominent among the improvements of the year was the 
building of a new dam by the Cohoes Co., which is one of 
the finest structures of the kind in the country. Work was 
commenced in June and the dam was completed in about 
four months. It is of solid stone masonry, 1,443 feet in 
length, and is built directly below and in connection with, 
the old dam of 1840, thus acquiring additional strength. 
The gate house, built of brick, and containing the head 
gates, was not completed until some time later. It is 218 
feet long ; the front tower is 31, and the main towers are 
43 feet in height. The cost of the dam and appurtenances 
was $180,000. The engineer of the work was Wm. E. 
Worthen, of New York, who was assisted by D. H. Van 
Auken, the present engineer of the Co., and T. G. Young- 
love, its agent. The contractor was John Bridgeford, of 
Albany. 

Business at this time was prosperous, and several addi- 
tions to manufacturing interests were made. The Erie Mill 
on Erie street was erected by Wm. Biirton, for Messrs. 
Wm. Moore and Jonathan Hiller, who commenced putting 
in their machinery in the fall. This firm had during the 
year been conducting the factory in the Empire Mill, 
which had been established by L. W. Mansfield. The foun- 
dation for the Riverside Mill, on the site of one of the build- 
ings of Miles White's axe factory, was laid in October by 
Messrs. Bogue & Wager. The Harmony Co. added largely 
to their facilities by the purchase of the Strong Mill, which 



1865. History of Cohoes. 183 

they enlarged and remodelled at an expense of $100,000, 
extending the building 30 feet at the north end, and putting 
on a French roof which added a stoiy to its height. Be- 
sides a number of other improvements in their property an 
addition to No. 2 mill was commenced, which was com- 
pleted in the following year and increased the capacity of 
the mill to 48,000 spindles. The Cataract of Oct. 21, 
speaking of these improvements, said : 

" What is true of the manufacturing interests of the place 
is also applicable to our local mercantile trade and other 
business. In the fifteen years of our residence in Cohoes 
we do not remember a time when so much activity and evi- 
dent thrift was manifested. We have twice as many dry- 
goods stores as we had a year ago, and all appear to be 
doing a healthy and profitable trade. The same is also true 
of the clothing, boot and shoe and grocery establishments 
of the place." 

The census taken this year showed a population of 8,795, 
a decrease of 5 since 1860. The falling off was accounted 
for by the census enumerators by the fact that among the 
ignorant classes a great fear of the draft existed, and many 
persons, supposing the census to be a new enrollment, 
refused to give any information concerning their families. 
The same trouble was found in other places, the population 
in Albany being reported as 2000 less than it was in 1860. 
The Albanians did not wish their city to show a retrograde 
movement, and took measures for procuring another census. 
Their example was followed in Cohoes ; a subscription 
paper was circulated to procure the necessary funds and 
a second enumeration was made by Sheffield Hayward, who 
reported the population as 9,765, the number of families 
being 1,826. In the government census the capital employed 
in manufacturing operations in tlie place was stated to be 
$2,840,900, and the number of operatives employed, 2,729. 



184 History of Cohoes. 1866. 



1866 TO 1869. 

X HE prosperous condition of business of every kind, 
described in the Cataract in the latter part of 1865, con- 
tinued with but slight interruption for the next few years. 
There were many important additions to the manufacturing 
establishments of the place, bringing new inhabitants and 
stimulating every branch of trade. Building was extended 
in all directions, and blocks of stores and handsome resi- 
dences appeared in localities which had formerly been" con- 
sidered almost outside of the village. 

The early part of 1866 was marked by few local events 
of importance. On the night of Jan. 10th, the stables of 
the Troy & Cohoes Horse Rail Road Co., near the junction, 
were burned at a loss of $18,000. The fire originated in 
the ofiice, and spread throughout the building in a very 
few minutes, so that before any aid could be received from 
the fire department, it was completely destroyed, together 
with all of its contents. Thirty-one horses, seven cars, and 
a large quantity of hay and feed were burned. 

A suit brought by the village against the company to 
compel them to conform their track to the grade of Mohawk 
street, and to pave the same, which had been some time 
pending, was decided this mouth in favor of the plaintiffs. 
The following comment was made by the Cataract : 

" This is an important decision not only because it vindi- 
cates the action of the trustees, but it reestablishes the 
grades at the points of variation, greatly improves Howard 
street, compels the company to pave their road from White 
street to the old junction, reimburses the village for the 
expenses to which it has been subjected in sinking the gas 
and water pipes, and cutting down Howard street, and in- 
sures it against action on the part of adjacent land owners." 

The second newspaper established in Cohoes — the Co- 



1866. History of Cohoes. 185 

hoes Democrat — made its first appearance Jan. 27th. It was 
a weekly sheet, about the size of the Cataract^ and was 
owned and conducted by Michael Monahon, who had for 
twelve years been foreman in that office. It was evident 
that Cohoes was not yet ready to support two newspapers, 
for after a brief and troubled existence of four months the 
publication of the Democrat was discontinued. 

In the latter part of Alay, ground was broken by the 
Harmony Co. for the erection of a new cotton factory. Mill 
No. 3, on the east side of Mohawk street, opposite their first 
building. While excavations for the foundation were being 
made, a few months later, the skeleton of a mastodon was 
discovered, an event which awakened great interest here, 
and caused Cohoes to be for some time quite prominently 
before the public. The foundation of the mill for nearly 
its entire length is laid upon a bed of slate rock. At the 
north end of the building it was found that the layer of 
rock was thin and rested upon a large bed of peat ; with a 
view to the removal of this, a small section was excavated 
to a depth of about sixty feet, and in so doing numerous 
relics of earlier ages were exhumed. 

The first discoveries, made in the middle of September, 
were decayed stumps and limbs of trees which lay imbedded 
in the rich loam ; a week later, near the bottom of the bed, 
the jaw-bone of the mastodon was unearthed. The event 
was described as follows in the Cataract, Sept. 29 : 

" Assuredly there are more things in heaven and earth than 
are dreamed of in our philosophy ! Those who, during the 
present generation, have trod the earth of Cohoes have never 
taken into their wildest imaginings the strange things that 
were concealed beneath the siirface. But the late excava- 
tions made by the Harmony Co., have brought to light the 
fact that a huge mastodon once dwelt where our village 
now stands, in an age that has been followed by the 
mightiest convulsions and upheavals. Fifty feet below the 
surface the jaw of this monster has been found, and has 
created in our village such a sensation as few events ever 
excited. . . . The jaw is somewhat decayed and flaky but the 
24 



186 History of Cohoes. 1866. 

teeth are in excellent preservation ; the length of each jaw 
bone is thirty-two inches ; the breadth across the jaw at 
the broadest point twenty inches and the extreme depth 
about twelve inches. On one side is a single tooth four 
inches in length and two and a half in width, and on the 
other two teeth one of which is six and a half inches long, 
the other four, and each uniform in width and shape with 
its neighbor opposite. The holes or cavities for the dental 
nerves are from an inch to an inch and a half in diameter. . . . 
The excavation has revealed other wonders, little less re- 
markable. Vast volumes of oak wood, so tender that it can 
be cut and removed with a shovel, are intermingled with the 
peat. This wood when exposed to the sun or fire until 
thoroughly dried, becomes as hard as if it had never de- 
cayed. On each side of the peat bed so far as traced, are 
perpendicular rocks into which huge semi-circular cavities, 
deep and smooth, have been worn by the action of water. 
There is but one solution of this mystery. The cavity of 
rock where the deposit of peat now rests, was once the bed 
of a stream running diagonally across the line of the street 
and towards the Mohawk. As the peat was covered deeply 
with slate rock, it is evident that the stream had a sub- 
terranean channel and outlet at this place, though perhaps 
an open river above. In this wonderful revelation there is 
a vast field for speculation both for the geologist and the 
zoologist." 

Further discoveries were made from time to time within 
the next few weeks ; the skull, tusk, leg-bones, ribs and 
enough other bones of the animal to make the skeleton 
nearly complete were found, most of them in a pot-hole 
distant some sixty feet from the one in which the jaw 
bone was buried.' The remains of numerous beaver dams 
were also brought to light, containing logs and pieces of 
wood, cut Avith great precision and neatness by the teeth of 
their builders. The bones were kept for some time at the 
office of the Harmony Mills, where they were visited by 
hundreds of persons, among whom were Profs. Marsh of 
Yale college, Hall of Albany and a number of other scien- 



1 lu the following March, while making excavations on the outside of the mill 
several bones of the fore-leg were found in a pot hole fifty feet south of that point. 



1866. History of Cohoes. 187 

tific men. They were also placed on exhibition in Troy, at 
the connty fair and in Harmony Hall. 

Several theories were advanced to account for the burial 
of the bones in the peat bed in such a manner — the one sup- 
ported by the highest authority being that they were thus 
disposed by the action of moving water or ice. In the 
former case it may be supposed that the body of the animal 
had floated down the stream, gradually decomposing, while 
fragments were from time to time detached, and what re- 
mained was deposited in the hole where the bulk of the 
skeleton was found ; in the latter, the theory was, that the 
remains were imbedded in a glacier from the melting edge 
of which they were dropped, and preserved, first by a cover- 
ing of water in the depression, and afterward by an accumu- 
lation of mud, marl or peaty matter ; that there may have 
been similar remains deposited in the gravel, but that the 
percolating water had entirely or for the most part de- 
stroyed them. At a discussion of the matter held by the 
national academy of science at Hartford, it was stated that 
" the facts brought out in connection with the Cohoes mas- 
todon forever set at rest the commonly received opinion 
that the mastodon bones usually found in the marshes are 
the remains of those animals who visit these places for food 
and drink." 

Several offers were received by the Harmony Co. from 
public institutions for the purchase of the remains, and it 
was thought at one time that they would be sold and the 
proceeds given to the Union Sunday School. It was finally 
decided, however, to present them to the state. The legis- 
lature voted an appropi-iation of $2,000 for completing the 
search for the bones, and mounting the skeleton, and passed 
a joint resolution tendering thanks to Mr. Wild and the 
Harmony Co. for their generosity. In the following year 
the skeleton was placed in position in the State Cabinet of 
Natural History, at Albany. 

One of the amusing results of the discovery of the mas- 



188 History of Cohoes. 1866. 

todon was the publication at different times of letters in 
several newspapers from active correspondents who had 
ascertained by talking with old inhabitants, that the skeleton 
was a humbug. The following, published in the Rutland 
Herald, in April, 18*70, is a specimen of these productions, 
though more circumstantial than most of them: 

" There is another sell in Albany, quite equal to the caixliff 
giant — but not got up expressly for the occasion. I mean the 
Cohoes mastodon, so called, now on exhibition in the Geolo- 
gical rooms in this city. It will be recollected that in 1866, 
as a party at Cohoes were digging to secure a reliable place as 
a foundation for a factory, the Avorkmen struck upon the 
bones of a large animal, which some of the sawcwis declared 
to be those of a mastodon, but all were not agreed upon this 
name. Henry M. Gaine, a geologist of Saratoga, wrote 
two or three articles for the newspapers in which he asserted 
that the teeth of thih fossil were not those of the extinct 
mastodon. But he was ridiculed for expressing such senti- 
ments and the term mastodon was applied to the skeleton 
of the animal when it was set up for exhibition. It seems 
a great pity to take away this name, for with it departs the 
great antiquity of these bones, and with it the finely wrought 
theory of their having been taken from that huge pot hole 
of peat by an immense glacier, that separated the different 
animal parts, and deposited them in many different places. 
But we will tell a story related to us by Mr. Wm, J. Brad- 
ley, of Ballston, N. Y., a respected and truthful citizen of 
that place, aged sixty-four years. He says he peddled tin 
for Wm, J. Benedict, of Schenectady, for two or three 
years, and for several years he followed a caravan — June, 
Titus, and Angevine's. It was his custom to travel from 
place to place in the night and sell his wares each day at 
auction near the tent of the caravan. In the fall of 1833, 
he was going from Schenectady to Troy, following the ele- 
phant, which in those days was taken from place to place in 
the night to escape observation — and when near what is 
now Cohoes, but which then had only a house or two, he 
found that the elephant had fallen dead in the road. The 
keeper had sawed off the tusks and was cutting the body 
into pieces that it might be drawn out of the road. This 
was no small job, for the elephant was one of the largest 
ever exhibited in this country. Mr. Bradley had a nice span 
of Canadian ponies on his peddler's cart. He took them off, 



1866. History of Cohoes. 189 

and assisted by Aaron Ackley, then of Troy, who led one 
of the frightened horses while Mr, B. led the other, they 
drew the body off by piece meal, and dropped it into a bog 
hole some six or eight rods distant, the identical one, as 
Mr. B. thinks, in which this so called mastodon was found." 

An imj)ortant addition to the public buildings of the place 
was the new St. Bernard's church, which had been in pro- 
gress since 1863, and was this fall comjjleted. The church, 
the style of which is Romanesque, is 160 by 80 feet. It has 
nine rows of aisles and a transept with eight rows of pews, 
and will seat 1,400 persons on the floor. There is an end 
gallery capable of accommodating 500 children, and a gal- 
lery for the choir. The sanctuary is semi-circular, forty 
feet wide by twenty-six deep. The altar is of white and 
gold, the white being composed of marble and scagliola ; 
under the altar is the entombment, full size, in alto relievo. 
Around the base of the sanctuary is an arcade, twelve feet 
in height, the space above which is occupied by handsome 
frescoes, done by John Hild, a native of Munich ; among 
them are copies of Vandyke's Descent from, the Cross^ 
Raphael's Assicmption, and other well known paintings. 
The windows, which are of stained glass, are each memorial 
gifts and were contributed by the following : Jno. W. Har- 
rington, Richard Powers and children, Patrick Gugerty, 
Cornelius O'Leary, Michael Ivory, Wm. Healey, Dr. W. F. 
Carter, Mrs. Peter Manton ; iron works, cotton mills, 
woolen mills and citizens of Cohoes, one each. The cost of 
the church with the lot was about $106,000, It was opened 
Oct. 14th, with a grand sacred concert, under direction of 
Dr. Guy of Troy, and was dedicated on Sunday Nov, 3. 
The ceremonies of consecration were performed by Bishop 
John J, Conroy of Albany who afterwards celebrated high 
mass. The sermon Avas preached by Rev, Jno, Loughlin, 
Bishop of Brooklyn. Some twenty clergymen from differ- 
ent points were also present who assisted in the exercises. 
The services, which commenced at 10 a,m, and lasted four 
hours, were attended by about three thousand people. 



190 History of Cohobs. 1866. 

Several new firms commenced business during the year. 
The Riverside Mill, a brick building 50 by 100 feet and five 
stories high, owned by Bogue & Wager, was completed 
early in the season. The capacity of the mill is eight sets but 
only six were at first run. About the same time the Erie 
Mill, which had been built the preceding year, commenced 
operations. In August the Hurst property, consisting of 
the mill and adjoining tenements, was sold to Lyman Ben- 
nett of Troy, for $27,000, and the Star Knitting Co., with 
a capital of $50,000, was organized. The first officers were: 
R. H. Thurraan, president, Lyman Bennett, O. G. Clark, 
Harvey Smith, R. H. Thurman, trustees. The Mohawk 
Mill, Samuel Bilbrough proprietor, which had before man- 
ufactured cotton yarns and cloths, was during this year 
fitted up in part with knitting machinery. 

The failure of Alden, Frink & Weston with liabilities of 
nearly $500,000, in the latter part of October, caused great 
excitement in business circles. The firm was one of the 
most prominent in the place, being largely interested in two 
knitting mills, the Ten Eyck Axe M'f'g Co., and other con- 
cerns. Though most of the indebtedness was out of town 
a number of citizens lost heavily, and the failure was severely 
felt throughout the village. Aside from this, the year was 
one of fair prosperity for Cohoes business men, and the gene- 
ral activity of the place was increased. A number of build- 
ings were erected, among them many residences. The 
Harmony Co. made preparations for the erection of a hun- 
dred tenements, made necessary by the number of opera- 
tives who were expected to arrive when work was com- 
menced in the new mill. In the published statistics of the 
company for 1866, it was stated that their mills had during 
the year consumed 7,427 bales of cotton, manufacturing 
therefrom 23,135,652 yards of cloth, equal to 13,145i miles. 

The close of the year was marked by a storm of wind and 
snow, of greater severity than any with which Cohoes had 



1867. History of Cohoes. 191 

been visited, it was said, since 1836. Travel by rail road 
and street car was interrupted for three days, and there 
was no means of communication with the outside world 
from Thursday until Saturday night, when the mail was 
brought in a sleigh from near West Troy, where the train 
from Albany was snowed in. 

In the early part of 1867 the iron bridge across the Erie 
Canal near White street, the contracts for which had been 
let in 1865, was completed. It was a very desirable improve- 
ment, affording access to the lands west of the Erie 
Canal, which the owners, Daniel McElwain and Judge Mann 
of Troy, improved and laid out in building lots, and this 
locality is now one of the most creditable portions of the 
city. The construction of the bridge had long been desired 
by our citizens, and was authorized by the legislature as 
early as 1859, but had been delayed from time to time by 
the state authorities, and it was finally procured mainly 
throiagh the efforts of Mr, McElwain. The ojDening of 
Ontario street from its present western terminus to the 
Erie Canal, which would make the approach to that portion 
of the city much more convenient, was soon afterward pro- 
posed and the matter has been subsequently agitated seve- 
ral times.' 

A number of business changes occurred in 1867, occa- 
sioned by the failure of Alden, Frink & Weston. The 
machinery which had belonged to them was sold : that in 
the Watervliet Mill to A. J. Root for $42,000 and that in 
the Halcyon Mill to Hugh Kanken of Troy for $16,500. 
The latter gentleman organized the Ranken Knitting Co., 
with a capital of $50,000, which commenced business Jan. 
16th, the officers being as follows: Hugh Ranken, president ; 



' This iniprovouicnt was talked of Ijy the comnn n coiiucil in 1873, and the cost 
was reported at $20,000. It was deemed inexpedient to talce action in the matter 
at the time, and little has been done concerning it until the present year. A peti- 
tion from property owners on the street urging its opening, was presented to the 
common council, Dec. 4. 



192 History of Cohoes, 18P)7. 

Giles B, Kellogg, secretary ; Henry S. Ranken, treasurer. 
The other principal stockholders were Gen. John E. Wool, 
Wm. Barton, G. P. Cozzens, Geo. B. Smith, D. M. Ranken, 
Wm. J. Ranken, all from Troy. The Atlantic Mill was 
purchased by Geo. Warhurst, who retired from his partner- 
ship with Jos. Chadwick. Messrs. J. H. Parsons & Co. 
moved into the Watervliet Mill, and their old quarters in 
the Egberts & Bailey or Fowler Mill were occuj^ied by 
L. Greenman, who moved from the building in which A. J. 
GriiRn is located. Among the new buildings of the year 
was the iron foundery and machine shop on Canvass, Court- 
land and Van Rensselaer streets, erected by Fuller & Safely, 
whose old foundery on Mohawk street had been purchased 
the previous year by the Harmony Co. The machine shop 
is 100 by 50 feet and five stories high and the foundery 120 
by 60 feet, one story high, both buildings being of brick.^ 
Several other concerns were located in the building — the 
nut manufactory of Geo. & Thomas Brooks, the knitting 
needle factory of Henry Dawson — both of which had been 
established in the old foundery, and the Magnolia Tape 
Mill, owned by Thos. Duncan,- 

Considerable discussion arose during the winter and spring 
concerning one or two projects relating to the town of 
Watervliet. In March, 1866, notice had been given in the 
legislature of a bill " to create the city and county of Water- 
vliet, embracing the town of Watervliet, and constituting 
the villages of Cohoes, West Troy and Green Island, a city 
under the name of Watervliet." This plan was again re- 
vived and received some slight attention, but was soon for- 
gotten. In April, an act was passed providing for the 
erection of a new town hall to cost |6,000. The commis- 
sioners named were W. J. Wheeler, supervisor, Henry D. 
Fuller and Geo. H. Wager of Cohoes, Francis Phelps and L. 



1 The business was sold to Wm . T. Horrobin, Nov. 1, 1873. 
' Afterward by Clancy & Co. 



1867. History of Cohoes. 193 

D. Collins of West Troy, and T. E. Kirkpatrick of Green 
Island. Several meetings of the board were held both in 
Cohoes and in West Troy, to take preliminary action. A 
proposition was made from Messrs. E. W. Fuller and Wm. 
Manning to present the town with an acre of land on Lin- 
coln avenue in Cohoes, as a site for the hall, and a lot in 
West Troy was offered by Hon. O. F. Potter. Little was 
accomplished beyond the consideration of these proposals. 
The commissioners from eacli village were naturally desir- 
ous of having the hall located in their village, and as no 
amicable conclusion could be reached, the matter rested. ' 

The first directory of Cohoes was published in this spring 
by Wm. H. Young, of Troy, in connection with the directory 
of that city, and has since been issued by him in the same 
manner. ■-' 

The question of purchasing a steamer, the agitation of 
which in 1865 has been spoken of, had been of late vigor- 
ously renewed, and at the tax payers' meeting held for the 
purpose of voting upon the sums to be raised by tax during 
the ensuing year the item of $5,000 for a steamer was in- 
cluded in the estimate. When in reading the list this was 
reached, a letter was handed the clerk from Hon. C. H. 
Adams, in which he proposed to present such an engine to 
the village — " as an expression of my personal interest in 
the welfare of this community, where I have resided for 
nearly a score of years." At the same time a statement 
was made, on behalf of the Harmony Co., to the effect that 
they had ordered a steamer, which, though it would of 
course remain in possession of the company, would always 



1 In the following year, the West Trojans, foreseeing that if the hall ever was 
boilt it must be in Cohoes, introduced a bill to repeal the above act. 

• The following table shows the number of names in each years' issue since 
Ciohoee became a city : 

1870,.... 3120. 1873,.... 4766. 
1871,.... 4146. 1875,.... 5124. 
1872,.... 4630. 1876 5376. 

26 



194 History of Cohoes. 1867. 

be ready to protect all the property of the village. An appro- 
priation of $6,000 was at once voted for the erection of a 
suitable house for the Adams steamer, and with this slight 
expense to the citizens in general, the place was provided 
by the liberality of private individuals with means of pro- 
tection against fire second to none in the state. The engine 
made its first appearance on the afternoon of July 6th, and 
was then formally pi*esented by Mr. Adams to the trustees. 
Murray Hubbard, president of the village, responded on 
behalf of the board. Henry Brockway then presented the 
captain and his assistants with silver trumpets of elaborate 
workmanship. The speeches of acceptance were made by 
H. B. Silliman, representing the company. The G. S. 
Adams Steamer Co., which had effected an oi'ganization June 
17th, contained 36 members, and elected the following as 
its first officers : president, H. B. Silliman; vice pres't, Jno. 
V. S. Lansing ; captain, Laban Vredenberg; ass't capt., 
Edwin Hitchcock; secretary, W. Frank Jones; treasurer, 
Geo. Campbell; chief engineer, S. G. Root; 1st ass't, John 
Clute; 2d ass't, Samuel Nuttall; 3d ass't, Joseph Delehanty. 

The steamer purchased by the Harmony Mills, named the 
Robert Johnston^ made its appearance here in December. 
It is of the same size and power as the C. H. Adams and 
finished like it, with the exception of the silver mountings. 
The Steamer Company, composed of operatives of the Har- 
mony Mills, was organized Feb. 25th, 1868, and the follow- 
ing officers elected: president, Robert Johnston; vice pres't, 
A. C. Spencer ; captain, Dan'l Simpson; ass't, Jas. Johnson; 
secretary. Ransom Stone; treasurer, Wm. S. Smith; chief 
engineer, John A. Link; 1st ass't, A. S. Stebbins; 2d ass't, 
John Ballard; 3d ass't, Edwd. McCready; board of trustees, 
D. J. Johnston, Wm. E. Thorn, A. T. Becker, Edward Foley, 
Duncan Munro. 

The necessity of securing an increased supply of water 
had been felt for some time, and early in 1868 a movement 



1868. History of Cohoes. 195 

was made towards the construction of a new reservoir. A 
bill was introduced in the legislature directing the water 
commissioners to make estimates of the cost of obtaining 
water from the Spring creek at Crescent and also of pro- 
curing an increased supply from the Cohoes Co. A vote was 
to be taken at the spring election ; if the result was in favor 
of the Crescent project the bonds of the village were to be 
issued for an amount not exceeding $200,000 to defray the 
expense; and if for the other plan for an amount not ex- 
ceeding $70,000. A citizens' meeting was held Feb. 11th, 
of which Murray Hubbard was chairman and Malachi 
Ball secretary. A communication was read from the Cohoes 
Co. offering to furnish such additional power as might be 
necessary for enlarged works at the same rates as were then 
being paid. A series of resolutions in regard to the matter 
was read by H. B. Silliman, and adopted by the meeting, 
to the effect that the citizens disapproved, as impracticable, 
all plans of bringing water from Crescent, and were in favor 
of immediately increasing the supply of water from the 
source then used, and of the construction of a new reservoir 
or the enlargement of the old one to the necessary size. A 
committee was appointed to draft a bill in accordance with 
the spirit of the resolutions, and the act providing for 
the construction of the new reservoir was passed May 8. 

The Harmony Mill No. 3, or Mastodon Mill, begun in 
1866, commenced operations this year, the first cotton being 
taken into the pickers February 1. The building, to which 
an extension was afterward built, is 565 by 77 feet and five 
stories high with a fire proof wing of the same height and 
50 by 150 feet, in which the pickers are placed. The fol- 
lowing figures concerning this mill were published at the 
time of its completion : 

" In its ei-ection the following material was used: 1,000 
yards of stone, 3,000,000 brick, 4500 yards of sand, 30,000 
bushels of lime, 1,000,000 lbs. cast and wrought iron, 800,000 
feet hemlock plank, 500,000 feet pine timber, 450,000 feet 



196 History of Cohoes. 1868. 

southern pine flooring, 400,000 feet pine ceiling, and 1,000 
kegs nails. It is lighted by 1,000 gas lights supplied by four 
miles of gas pipes. The machinery, which is of the most 
approved kind that could be found in England and America, 
includes 70,000 yarn spindles and 1,500 looms. When all 
running it will produce 60,000 yards of cloth per day." 

A new enterprise of the year was the cider and vinegar 
factory of Messrs. Oliver Bros., for which they erected a 
brick building 35 by 100 feet, and thi'ee stories high on the 
corner of Remsen and Schuyler streets. A new knitting 
factory was established by Messrs. Wra. Nuttall & Co. who 
took the Empire Mill, once occupied by L. W, Mansfield, 
and at a later date by Moore & Hiller. 

The number of French Canadians in Cohoes had greatly 
mcreased within the last few years, and as they are almost 
without exception Catholics, they formed an important part 
of St. Bernard's congregation. The constant growth of 
their ranks at length compelled a separation of the congre- 
gations, and in June arrangements were accordingly^made 
for the establishment of a Canadian church. A census was 
taken of the number of French Catholics then in the village, 
under direction of Joseph LaBoeuf, cliairman of the com- 
mittee, resulting as follows: "Heads of families, 387; com- 
municants, 1,470: total number of persons, 2,209." Applica- 
tion was made to Bishop Conroy for the appointment of a 
French priest, and provision was made for a room in which 
to hold service iintil a church could be erected. The pastor, 
Rev. L. H. Saugon, arrived in Cohoes in August, and at 
once commenced earnest efforts to raise the necessary build- 
ing fund. A lot was purchased on Congress street, between 
White and Hart streets, and on Nov. 22d the corner stone 
of St. Joseph's church was laid with appropriate ceremonies 
by Bishop Conroy. 

In January, 1869, the project for incorporating Cohoes as 
a city, which had been under consideration at intervals for 
several years, assumed definite shape, and a charter was 



1869. History of Cohoes. 197 

drawn up for presentation to the legislature. Some discussion 
on the subject arose, and the Cataract for several months 
was occupied with lettei-s on both sides of the question. 
The principal grounds of opposition, as stated in these com- 
munications, was that under the city charter the government 
would fall into the hands of a political rabble, and that 
the better class of citizens would have little or no voice in 
the management of affairs ; it was also held that greater 
opportunity would be furnished for extravagant expenditure 
and that taxation would be largely increased. The friends 
of the bill of course denied that there was any more chance 
of such calamities befalling Cohoes as a city than there was 
if the village government continued, and claimed further- 
more that the rates of taxation would be in some particulars 
reduced, since Cohoes would no longer have to contribute 
to the support of a town government, in which it was 
allowed to have little share. The Cataract was strongly 
in favor of the bill, and contained a number of articles 
stating the reasons for advocating its passage, among which 
was the following : 

" Thus far in the existence of Cohoes, there has seemed 
to be a lack of local pride on the part of its inhabitants. 
Our proximity to Troy and Albany has lead us, naturally, 
to depend upon them in a large degree for mercantile facil- 
ities, and as a consequence, Cohoes has been looked upon 
by the outside world more as a suburb of those tAvo cities 
than as a live, independent municipality of itself. But the 
moment Cohoes assumes the proportions of a city, and fol- 
lows it up with a proper — but not overweening sense of its 
own importance, we shall feel the result favorably. Our citi- 
zens will be more self reliant, and pride in our growing city 
will keep at home hundreds of thousands of dollars which 
now go to enrich the mercantile trade of adjoining cities." 

The bill, which had been considerably modified since the 
first draft, passed the assembly April 15th, but did not 
become a law until May 19th. This delay on the part of 
the senate, and the insertion in the act of a provision by 
which it was not to take effect until 1870, were due to the 



198 History of Cohoes. 1869. 

efforts of its opposers, as was stated at the time, and were 
accounted for by political reasons. 

The velocipede excitement, prevalent throughout the 
country during this year, reached Cohoes in the winter, and 
furnished material for a number of paragraphs in the local 
paper. The appearance on the streets of the first velocipede 
was thus described : 

" Velocipedism is becoming a mania about these days. 
On Thursday evening, Feb. 24, Mr. Chas. P. Craig showed 
himself astride of one onRemsen street, to the great delight 
of all the people. Shout after shout went up from the gaz- 
ing multitude, especially when the machine careened and 
dumped the rider. On Saturday morning he gave us a free 
exhibition, followed by scores of the gamins of Cohoes." 

A rink was opened on Factory street, in the hall at the 
rear of the hotel, which remained in successful operation for 
some time. Comparatively few of the vehicles were seen 
on the street, however, and the furore in regard to them 
was much less than in adjoining cities, perhaps because 
Cohoes streets at the time were not adapted for that sort 
of travel. 

There were during this year several important additions 
to the manufacturing interests of the place. Two new knit- 
ting mills were established, one by Himes & Vail, who 
leased the building on Mohawk street, which had formerly 
been occupied by Parsons & Co., and put in operation six 
sets of machinery ; the other by the Alaska Knitting Co., 
located in Fuller & Safely's new building. The officers 
were : Simeon Holroyd, secretary ; Robt. Safely, treasurer ; 
Horace Fisher, agent.' On Courtland street, corner of Can- 
vass, a brick building, 50 by 100 feet and three stories high, 
was erected by John Land & Sons, for a sawing and planing 
mill. The foundery and machine shop on Van Rensselaer 
street near Courtland, was established in the latter part of 



> This establiehment was removed to Waterford in the latter part of 1871. 



1869. History of Cohoes. 199 

the year by Wra, T. Horrobin. The foundery building is 
one story high, 100 by 60 feet, and the machine shop is three 
stories high, 100 by 50 feet. Extensive additions, embrac- 
ing blacksmith shop, pattern house, etc., were soon after- 
ward made. A number of residences and stores were also 
erected. Prominent among these new buildings was the block 
erected by C. H. Adams on Remsen street, below Ontario. It 
is three stories in height, built of Philadelphia brick, with an 
ornamental iron front. The plate glass windows in the stores 
on the ground floor were the first ones introduced in Cohoes. 
On the site of the old Heamstreet tavern, on Mohawk 
street one door below Factory, a brick block three stories 
high was erected by Mr. Witbeck of Troy. Among the 
public improvements were the engine houses on Main street 
and Johnston avenue and a new school house corner of 
Cataract and School streets. Several additions and im- 
provements were also made on church property. An ex- 
tension was built on the Presbyterian church at a cost of 
$7,000, by which its capacity was doubled; as enlarged the 
building is 95 by 48 feet with transepts on the south 59 feet 
in width, and contains 172 pews, capable of seating 700 
people. It was rededicated Jan. 20, 1870. Adjoining St. 
Bernard's church a parsonage was built 40 by 40 feet, three 
stories high, at a cost of |1 5,000. The Baptist congregation 
also commenced the erection of a parsonage on the lot south 
of the church, which was completed in the following year, 
at a cost of about $5,000. St. Joseph's church was dedicated 
Dec. 12th, with the usual ceremonies. The first mass was 
celebrated by Rev. Thos. Keveney — the pastor, Father Sau- 
gon, being on account of iUness unable to attend. 

A series of articles appeared in the Albany Express during 
the year on the growth and manufactures of Cohoes. These 
were revised and expanded by Mr. Edward Fitzgerald, and 
published in a pamphlet of 55 pages entitled The City of 
Cohoes. Its History, Growth and Prospects^ Its Great 



200 History of Cohoes. 1869. 

Manufactories. The contents were chiefly descriptions of 
the manufacturing establishments then in operation and 
statistics of their production. At the close of the publica- 
tion appeared the following summary: 

"At present the city numbers over 16,000 inhabitants. 
Its manufactories comprise six extensive cotton mills, 
running 203,000 spindles, eighteen large knitting mills, two 
foundries, three machine shops, a rolling mill, two axe 
factories, a planing mill, a sawing and veneering establish- 
ment, and many other large and flourishing industrial con- 
cerns. The aggregate capital invested in manufacturing 
operations is estimated at $20,000,000. The mercantile in- 
terests of the city are represented by over 300 large and 
prosperous retail establishments. The religious wants of 
the community are supplied by six large and magnificent 
churches. Two splendid steam fire engines of great power 
are at the service of the fire department." 



1870. History of Cohoes. 201 



XI. 

1870 TO 1876. 

jj ROM the time that Cohoes assumed the dignity of a 
city, a marked change was apparent in its general character. 
A certain degree of local p] ide became developed, which it 
must be confessed had pre\ iously been wanting, and the 
results were a wonderful improvement in the appearance of 
the place, and the provision of many conveniences which had 
long been needed for tlie comfort and well-being of its 
citizens. The gradual accomplishment of these changes, 
and the evidences of substantial growth which they afford, 
form a notable feature of the history of Cohoes for the next 
few years. 

The first election under the city charter was held April 
12, 1870. It passed off very quietly, and the number of 
votes polled (1,850), was much larger than at any previous 
election. The city government was formally organized on 
the evening of Tuesday, April 19th. After the meeting was 
called to order and the mayor had administered tlie necessary 
oaths of office, the aldermen proceeded to act as a board of 
canvassers, and the result of the election was officially 
announced. The privilege of the floor was then obtained 
by Augustus Ellmaker, late president of the village, who, 
in behalf of the late trustees, presented an elegant watch to 
Malachi Ball, who for six years previous had been the effi- 
cient clerk of the village and board of education. After 
this agreeable incident, the mayor delivered his inaugural — 
a short but comprehensive address, in which were stated 
the financial condition of the city, and the improvements 
most needed. The appointments were then made, and the 
standing committees announced. The meeting was spoken 
of in the Cataract as follows : 
26 



202 History of Cohoes. 1870. 

" After the transaction of a few minor items of business 
the board acljoin-ned, having had a session that was remark- 
able for its unanimity and the good order that prevailed. 
The new officers seemed to slip into the routine of their 
positions as easily as if they had been to the manner born; 
and those who expected a hitch in the proceedings were 
disappointed in their expectations. The mayor presided 
with a dignity becoming his high official position, and in 
the cast of his committees evinced a tliorough knowledge 
of the needs of the several departments and a just estimate 
of the peculiar qualifications of the gentlemen for the 
various positions to be filled. We congratulate our citizens 
upon the ausi^icious commencement of our career as a city 
and trust that the most sanguine expectations of the friends 
of the new system may be realized, and the fears and appre- 
hensions of its opponents prove unfounded." 

The capital police law of 1865, though excellent in many 
of its features, had for some time been made the subject of 
complaint, and during the winter of ISVO, steps were taken 
by several of the cities and villages which were under its 
provisions to procure laws creating a diiferent system. 
Cohoes was one of the last so to do, and it was not until 
May G, that the bill under which our j^resent police system 
is organized was passed. Under this act the government of 
police affairs was vested in a board of police commissioners, 
consisting of the mayor and two others, the term of office 
of the latter being four years. The police force appointed 
by the board was made to consist of a captain, sergeant, 
not more than seven patrolmen, a station-house keeper 
and a surgeon. The first commissioners under this act were 
chosen at the general election in November. 

Soon after the charter went into oi^eration, movements 
were made towards securing some of the substantial im- 
provements which it was expected would follow as a natural 
result of the new form of municipal government. The 
streets, which had so long been a discredit to the place, 
and had for over twenty years been made the subject for a 
paragraph in almost every issue of the village newspaper, 



1870. History of Cohoes. 203 

were among the first objects to which attention was directed. 
In the early part of June a petition for the pavement of 
Remsen street from Mohawk to White street was presented 
to the common council. The committee was unable to de- 
cide at once upon the style of pavement which would be 
most suitable and give greatest satisfaction to the property 
owners on the street. A long and animated discussion fol- 
lov/ed, on the merits of the respective pavements — and a 
number of communications on the subject were published 
in the Cataract. The decision was finally made in favor 
of a wooden pavement, the Brocklebank and Trainor, and 
the work of laying it was commenced in October. 

Tlie new reservoir, work on which had been commenced 
in the preceding year, was completed in July, and the water 
was pumped into it on the 25th of that month. It occupies 
three and a quarter acres of land, situated at the west of 
the first reservoir, which were bought in 1869 from Mrs. 
Jane A. Lansing, for $1,800. It has a capacity of 8,000,000 
gallons, and is at an elevation of 28 feet above the old one, 
and 190 feet above the central portion of the town. The 
first pump which was constructed for this reservoir did not 
operate satisfactorily and another was afterward substituted, 
built under direction of D. H. Van Auken, engineer of the 
Cohoes Co. This pump is double acting, 16 inch diameter 
and 6 feet stroke, working 10 strokes to the minute, moving 
a column of water 16 inches in diameter 120 feet per minute, 
and elevating it into the new reservoir 118 feet above the 
pump bed. It is driven by a Jonval turbine water wheel of 
100 horse power, made by Fuller & Safely. 

On Sept. lYth, the first number of the Cohoes Weekly 
Democrat, a paper about the size of the Advertiser of 1847, 
was issued. It was an outgrowth of a smaller sheet called 
the Watchman and Chronicle which had been published 
during a few months previous by D, Cady. Mr. Cady's as- 
sistant in the editorship of the Democrat was John H. At- 
kinson. 



204 History of Cohoes. 1870. 

Among the new manufacturing firms which commenced 
operations this year was the Cohoes Lime, Cement & Plaster 
Co., which located its works near the Cohoes Co.'s dam. 
The proprietors were T. G. Younglove, David T. Lamb, 
Henry I. Dunsbach, G. H. Stewart and L. Dodge. The 
first kiln, a Page's Patent Flame Kiln — was put in opera- 
tion during the summer.' 

Another establishment, Trost & Bezner proprietors, was 
located in Land & Son's building on Conrtland street ; the 
articles of manufacture being furniti\re, and fancy articles 
in wood.- 

The general improvement of the place during the year 
was marked. The completion of the new water works, and 
the addition of two hose companies to the fire department 
rendered the protection against fire very complete ; several 
important changes were made by the board of education 
in the method of conducting the schools, and arrangements 
were made for the erection of the White street school house, 
a building which had long been needed ; many of the streets 
were graded and repaired, and several sections of country 
roads, which under the provisions of the charter were in- 
cluded in the city limits, were improved ; the construction 
of sewers, a matter which had formerly been too much 
neglected, owing to the limited power granted to the village 
trustees, received the attention of the authorities, and sewers 
were laid in portions of Remsen, Mohawk, Oriskany, Main 



1 A mill for grinding cement and plaster was built in tlie following year. In 1873 
the capacity of the works was increased by the erection ol another mill, and two 
additional kilns. The second mill is located near the Erie Canal, 250 feet from the 
first, from which the power is obtained by means of a wire cable. The cost of the 
works was about $50,000. In 1875 this firm was succeeded by the Cohoes Lime & 
Cement Co., incorporated Aug. 18th with a capital of $70,000. The following were 
the first oflicers : president, D. T. Lamb ; secretary, T. G. Younglove ; treasurer, D. 
H. Van Auken. D. T. Lamb, H. I. Dunsbach, M. O. Cauldwell, T. G. Younglove, 
G. H. Stewart, L. Dodge, trustees. 

> The style of this firm was changed July 21 , 1876, to the Trost & Bezner Mfg. Co. 
John T. Saxe, proprietor. 



1871. HiSTOKY OF COHOES. 205 

and Cedar streets. The cost of these various improvements, 
as shown in the mayor's report, was in the neighborhood of 
$80,000. The taxes were of course increased, hut not so 
largely as many supposed — the rate being less than a 
quarter of one per cent greater than that of the previous 
year. The census of this year indicated the largest five 
years' growth in the history of the place, there being an in- 
crease of 6,578 over the official census of 1865, The male 
inhabitants over the age of 2 1 were 2,574, divided as follows : 
1st ward, 779; 2d ward, 717 ; 3d ward, 728 ; 4th ward, 
350. The following statistics in regard to manufactures 
were given : 

Manufacturing establishments, 196 

Capital invested, 14,030,641 

Wages paid yearly, 1,839,572 

Value material used, 5,084,940 

" annual production, 7,889,331 

In February, 1871, several amendments to the charter 
were prepared by a committee from the common council, 
which were presented to the legislature and passed in May. 
Among the changes were the following: provision was made 
for the election of two justices of the peace to serve until 
1874 ; the common council was invested with power to pass 
certain oi'dinances and regulations for the government of 
the city, and to appoint commissioners of deeds ; the term 
of office of the chamberlain was made two years; the power 
of the recorder was increased, and his salary fixed at |2,000, 
and the tei'm of office of the overseer of the poor was ex- 
tended from one to three years. Considerable dissatisfaction 
was expressed at the last two amendments, which it was 
claimed were added after the bill had left the hands of the 
committee in Cohoes. 

On Sunday, June 10, the new 8t. John's church, at the 
junction of Canvass and Mohawk streets, was formally 
opened by Bishop Doane, who had laid the corner stone on 



206 History of Cohoes. 1871. 

June 1 1th of the previous year. The ceremonies of consecra- 
tion were postponed until a small debt yet remaining on the 
building should be liquidated. The customary morning 
service was read, Bishop Doane, Rev. Ferris Tripp, of 
Brooklyn, Rev. Chas. Babcock of CTreenwood Works, and 
Rev. J. H. H. Brown, rector of the parish, officiating. The 
sermon was preached by Bishop Doane. The building, 
which will accommodate 1,000 persons, is built of Schenec- 
tady stone faced with brick, in the modern gothic style, 
with transept. The nave of the church is 100 feet long, 
68 feet wide and 60 feet to the peak of the roof. The ceil- 
ing is in blue, and the upper part of the walls has a red 
ground, diapered. The chancel, which is square, measures 
20 by 30 feet, with a large window in the rear. Tlie organ 
and choir are placed in an alcove a few feet above the level 
of the transept, on which it opens through an archway. 
The chapel is 24 by 32 feet and opens on the church and 
chancel in the same manner as the organ alcove, so that it 
can be used if desii'ed to make extra accommodations for 
the church. The Sunday school room, which will seat 450 
pupils, is located in the lower part of the building. The 
rectory, connected with the chapel, is of the same material 
as the church, and a model of convenience. Besides what 
is now built, it is the design to have a tower on the south 
side of the church, with a stone spire 160 feet high. The 
cost of the structure as far as finished is |40,000, and the 
completion of it will cost $20,000 more. 

Among the additions this year to the business of the city 
was the Cohoes Warp Mill and Thread Co., incorporated 
July 23d, with Collins Arnold, president and treasurer, and 
Stillman Ilsley, secretary. The manufactures of this com- 
pany are hosiery yarns and cops, seaming thread, chain 
warps, etc., which ai*e used principally by cotton and woolen 
mills. The building which is on the site of the Miles White 
forge shop, on Mohawk sti'eet, is of brick, 50 by 80 feet> 



1871. History of Cohoes. 207 

four stories liigh, and was completed in July. Another new 
factory was erected by the Empire Pin Co., on Courtland 
street, a brick building 40 by 100 feet, and five stories high. 
With its increased facilities the company did an extensive 
business, operating 40 machines and producing 46,800 papers 
of pins per week. These papers average 280 pins each, 
making a yearly production of 681,408,000. 

The Waterford and Cohoes Bridge was burned on the 
night of the 31st October, but little to the regret of the 
citizens, if we may judge from the following, from the 
Cataract : 

"It was never considered a first class structure and 
of late years has been a source of constant dread to 
those who have been obliged to cross it, and a standing 
insult to public enterprise. During the conflagration, the 
general expression seemed to be that it were better thus 
than that the lives of our citizens should be endangered by 
its longer use." 

A steam ferry was established for the accommodation of 
passengers, and a tug was provided to tow the boats in the 
Champlain Canal across the river. The new state dam just 
below the bridge, which had been commenced in June, 18V0, 
was completed this fall, by Sherrill, Strong & Flood, con- 
tractors. Its length between the piers is 1,640 feet. 

The building of this dam enabled Messrs. Weed, Becker 
& Co. to obtain an additional head of five feet of water, 
and add largely to the capacity of their establishment. The 
improvements connected with these increased facilities were 
completed during the year at a cost of $20,000. 

In October, when the news was received here of the great 
fires which devastated Chicago, and different places in 
Michigan and Wisconsin, the citizens were prompt to come 
forward Avith substantial expi-essions of sympathy. A public 
meeting was at once held in Egberts' Hall to take measures 
for the relief of the sufferers, at which Mayor Adams pre- 
sided. Committees of five gentlemen from each ward were 
appointed to receive subscriptions, who were to report to the 



208 History of Cohoes. 1872. 

following general committee : Hon. C. H. Adams, Murray 
Hubbard, D. J. Johnston, H. B. Silliman, Wm, Nuttall. 
The response to the call was general and liberal. About 
$4,000 in cash were raised, of which $2,500 were sent to 
Chicago and the balance to the sufferers by the fires in 
Wisconsin and Michigan. Knit goods and other arti(4es of 
clothing to the value of $5,000 were also forwarded. 

A matter which occasioned considerable discussion in Co- 
hoes during the early part of 1872, was what was known 
as the Boulevard bill, introduced in January. It pro- 
vided for the construction of a broad avenue, the line of 
which was to extend along the Hudson river terrace, begin- 
ning at the Newtonville road in Albany and running north, 
passing a little to the west of the Rural Cemetery and ter- 
minating in Cohoes at or near Johnston avenue, affording 
a straight and level street nine miles in length. The work 
was to be supervised by seven commissioners, of whom thi-ee 
were from Albany, two from Watervliet, and two from 
Cohoes, the gentlemen named from this place being David 
J. Johnston and H. S. Bogue. The expense, estimated at 
$100,000, was to be defrayed by the localities to be benefited; 
bonds were to be issued by the city of Albany to the amount 
of $50,000 and by the town of Watervliet and the city of 
Cohoes, each for $25,000. The newspapers in the neighbor- 
hood were almost without exception in favor of the project, 
and it had a number of strong supporters among the citizens 
of Albany and Cohoes. There was, however, from tlie be- 
ginning a strong feeling against it in West Troy, and con- 
siderable opposition was soon developed here. Many 
persons claimed that the bill was a private measure intro- 
duced merely to advance the interests of individuals who 
owned property along the route of the proposed road; and 
also that in case the latter should be constructed, it would 
be used merely as a pleasure drive, and, not being suitable 
for the passage of heavy vehicles, would be of no business 



1872. History of Cohoes. 209 

advantage. The principal objection, liowever, which was 
urged by Cohoes people, was that if the city were to be 
bonded at all, the money should be expended in making 
improvements for which tliere was more pressing necessity. 
These objections were answered by the friends of the bill, 
but they failed to entirely overcome the prejudice against 
it, and it did not go into effect. 

A bill introduced during the same month made several 
changes in the charter of the city, the principal one being 
in regard to the recorder and overseer of the poor. The 
former office was abolished, and provision was made that 
the latter be filled annually by appointment of the common 
council. 

In February, the Cohoes Hospital was established, an 
institution which for lack of proper support has not had 
the permanence it deserved. Its officers were : president, 
Robert Johnston ; vice president, Earl L. Stimson ; secre- 
tary, Wm. E. Thorn ; treasurer, Wm. Burton ; committee, 
T. G. Younglove, H. B. Silliman, W. S. Gilbert. A build- 
ing was hired on Harmony Hill, in which a free dis2:)ensary 
was established, and Drs. Robertson, of Albany, and J. W. 
Moore and Jas. Featherstonhaugh of this city, gave their 
seiwices to those in need of them. ' 

With the rapid growth in the business interests of Cohoes, 
it had for some time been apparent that there was a favor- 
able opportunity for the establishment of a second banking 
institution, and a movement to this effect was made in 
January by a number of prominent business men, which 
resulted in the organization, on March 21st, of the Manu- 
facturers' ])ank of Cohoes, wdth a capital of 1100,000. The 
first officers were as follows : president, Wm. E. Thorn ; vice 



' This laudable enterprise was supported for a time almost entirely by the contri- 
butions of private citizens. A bill was passed in May, 1873, authorizing the 
common council to appropriate $1,000 annually for its maintenance. Tl.is did not 
go into effect, however, and, not receiving any encouragement, the gentlemen in 
charge of the institution were forced to abandon it, not being willing to defray all 
its expenaes from their own pockets. 

27 



210 History of Cohoes. 1872. 

president, Jno. V. S. Lansing ; cashier, N. W. Frost ; di- 
rectors, Wni. E. Thorn, Jno. V. S. Lansing, D. H. Van 
Auken, Geo. Campbell, J. W. Himes, Jacob Travis, D. J. 
Johnston, Nicholas J. Clute, Wm. Moore, Alfred Le Roy, 
P. R. Chadwick. Rooms were fitted up at No. 70 Oneida 
street, and the institution was opened for the transaction of 
business, July 8th. 

The project of uniting Lansingburg and Cohoes by bridges 
across the Hudson and Mohawk rivers, which had been 
agitated in the papers of the vicinity at different times pre- 
vious, assumed definite shape by the incorporation of the 
Lansingburg and Cohoes Bridge Co. in March. The bill 
provided for the construction of " a bridge and the ap- 
proaches thereto, over the Hudson from some point on Van 
Schaick's Island, in the city of Cohoes to some point in the 
village of Lansingburg, south of said ferry." 

It was expected that the erection of a bridge across the 
Mohawk from the island to Cohoes, concerning which Mr. 
Adams, owner of the island, had made some generous offers 
would soon follow, as arrangements had been made the pre- 
vious autumn. The scheme seemed to meet with approval 
from all parties concerned. The papers of Troy were 
earnest in its favor, on the ground that the road distance 
between that place and Cohoes would be diminished by 
nearly a mile and communication between the two cities be 
greatly facilitated ; while the Cohoes papers hailed with 
satisfaction the prospect of beautiful building sites and 
pleasant drives which was offered to our citizens. As in 
the case of the Boulevard bill, however, while the value 
which such an improvement would have was acknowledged 
on all sides, something occurred to kill the project, and there 
has been no definite movement towards developing that 
part of our city until the present year. 

The new bridge across the Mohawk above the state dam 
was completed in September at a cost of about 125,000. 
It is 704 feet long and consists of four spans of 140 feet and 



1872. HiSTOKY OF COHOES. 211 

one of 135 feet. The side walks and tow path are each Tix 
feet wide, and the trusses twenty-one feet high. It is known 
as the Combination Bridge, the top chord and posts being 
of wood, and the lower chord, main and center braces of 
iron, Belden and Gale of Syracuse were the contractors. 

An event of importance in the history of Cohoes man- 
ufactures was the completion in this year of the extension 
to the Harmony Mill No. 3, making the largest complete 
cotton mill in the country. The extension is five stories 
high, and 510 feet long by 76 feet wide, making the entire 
structure 1,185 by 70-70 feet. The junction of the exten- 
sion with the main building is marked by the central tower, 
a handsome fire proof structure eight stories in height. A 
niche in this contains a bronze statue of the late Thos. 
Garner, for years one of the principal proprietors of the 
mills, which was cast by the Ames Mfg. Co. of Chicopee, 
Mass., after a model by Millman. Underneath this tower 
is the main entrance, substantially built of granite. There 
are four other entrances to the building, each surmounted 
by a lofty tower. The building is constructed throughout 
of the best and most durable materials, and its front is 
handsomely trimmed with brown-stone. Besides its great 
importance to the place in a business point of view, the fine 
architecture of this mill and its complete finish in every 
detail render it a principal ornament of the city, and it is 
among the first objects of interest to strangers who visit us. 

The Harmony Co. made a further addition to their estab- 
lishment by the purchase in the early part of the year of 
the paper mill building on Mohawk street, south of the No. 
2 mill, in which the manufacture of jute was afterwards 
commenced. Messrs. Van Benthuysen & Sons, the pro- 
prietors of the paper mill, moved their machinery to Castle- 
ton, where they had a similar establishment.' 



• The water of the Mohawk was too mucldy in the spritip; and fall for use in their 
business, and the proprietors had several years before commenced the boring of ax» 
artesian well, which was carried down over 2,300 feet before it was abandoned. 



212 History of Cohoes. 1872. 

An addition to the knitting interests of the place was 
the establishment of the Globe Mill by Le Roy, Lamb & Co., 
Wm. Moore being the third partner. ' The firm took pos- 
session of the building on Remsen street between the 
Diamond and Star Mills, which had been occupied since 
1857 by the Harmony Co., and put in operation four sets 
of machinery. The second mill south of this, a building 
30 by 96 feet, and four stories high, was fitted up for knitting 
purposes early in this year by George Warhurst, of the 
Atlantic Mill on Mohawk street, who sold both establisli- 
ments to Thompson & Horrocks, in the fall. Two new 
knitting mills, the Peerless, and the Sunnyside, were 
located respectively in the first and second stories of the 
Empire Pin Co.'s building on Courtland street. The former, 
Joseph Bullock and Bro. proprietors, ran two sets, and 
the latter, t)f the same capacity, was owned by Fisher and 
Melinda. Neither remained in permanent operation. 

A new establishment of the year was a gas and steam pipe 
factory erected near Courtland street between Saratoga and 
Van Rensselaer streets, by the Empire Tube Co. The com- 
pany was incorporated with a capital of 150,000, the follow- 
ing being trustees : Jas. Morrison, Thos. Colwell, Buckley 
T. Benton, Jas. M. Morehead, W. H. Atwater.- 

A series of articles, afterward issued in pamphlet form, 
was published in the Cataract during the year, giving a 
complete and careful account of the manufacturing estab- 
lishments of the place. The statistics of production may be 
summarized as follows : The Harmony Mills liad in opera- 
tion 251,000 spindles, and employed 5,170 operatives. The 
knitting mills, 20 in number, operated 129 sets of machinery, 
employing 2,503 operatives, at a monthly pay roll of |58,900. 



> Mr. Moore afterward withdrew, selling his interest to the other partners. 

2 The company never commenced active operations, but leased the factory to 
Albert Smith and Jas. M . Morehead, who ran it a few months. On May 1st, 1874, 
the present firm, consisting of Albert Smith and A. G. Curtis, was formed. 



1872. History of Cohoes. 213 

The annual production was 453,000 doz. goods valued at 
13,620,000. The establishments hi the iron manufacture, 4 
in number, employed 685 men at a monthly i^ay roll of 
$35,800. The value of the annual production, consisting of 
axes, iron and machinery, was $1,680,000. Miscellaneous 
establishments employed 394 hands at a monthly pay roll 
of $14,010, and produced goods annually to the amount of 
$479,000. The annual production stated of other concerns 
of which no further statistics were given, amounted in the 
aggregate to $451,000. The total yearly value of manu- 
factured products thus shown was $6,230,000, exclusive of 
those of the Harmony Mills. A summary of the mercantile 
establishments, professions, etc., was also given, as follows : 

" Groceries, 56 ; dry goods stores, 9 ; clothing stores, 7 ; 
millinery and fancy goods stores, 25 ; drugs and medicines, 
7 ; boot and shoe stores, 15 ; hat and cap stores, 3 ; job 
printing offices, 1 ; news rooms, 2 ; cigar manufacturers, 
5 ; flour and feed stores, 1 ; lumber yards, 3 ; coal dealers, 
5 ; junk dealers, 2 ; liquor dealers, 79 ; meat markets, 22 ; 
jewelers, 3 ; sewing machine agencies, 4 ; insvarance agen- 
cies, 7 ; fruit and confectionery stores, 6 ; oyster dealers, 
4 ; music stores, 1 ; piano rooms, 1 ; marble yards, 1. Oi 
other trades and occupations, we enumerate as follows : 
dress making establishments, 8 ; attorneys, 12 ; physicians, 
11 ; teachers, 34 ; clergymen, 8 ; dentists, 2 ; photograph- 
ers, 3 ; surveyors, 2 ; architects, 1 ; barbers, 9 ; auction- 
eers, 2." 

Among the improvements of the year was the enlargement 
of the Baptist church, at a cost of $15,000. The front was 
extended to the side-walk, a distance of some 20 feet, thus 
greatly enlarging the seating capacity of the building, and 
a spire and towers Avere constructed which much improved 
its appearance. The interior of the edifice was entirely 
renovated and its walls and ceiling handsomely frescoed. 
The church was formally opened on the evening of Jan. 
15th, 1873, the dedication services being postponed, until 
the debt incurred in making the improvements should be 
liquidated. An historical sermon, giving a detailed account 



214 History of Cohoes. 1873. 

of the organization and progress of the church, was preached 
by the pastor, Rev. L. S. Johnson, which was followed by 
the singing of a hymn composed for the occasion, and con- 
gratulatory addresses by Revs. C. A. Johnson of Whitehall, 
Mr. Hanna of West Troy, and C. P. Sheldon, D.D., of Troy. 
Other clergymen present and participating in the exercises 
were Rev. Mr. Kenley of Lansingburg, and Rev. Wra, M. 
Johnson of the First Presbyterian church, Cohoes. 

The long period of exemption from serious loss by fire 
which Cohoes manufacturers had enjoyed was interrupted 
in February, 1873, by the occurrence of two destructive 
conflagrations. On the afternoon of the 1st, a fire was 
discovered in the card room of the Stark Mill, on Courtland 
street. Efforts were made to extinguish it without giving an 
alarm, but the whole room was soon in flames, which com- 
menced to spread to adjoining parts of the building, and 
the operatives throughout the mill were at once informed 
of their danger. Most of them escaped through the doors 
but some who were in the upper stories, finding the staircase 
impassable, were forced to jump from the windows upon 
the sheds and ground beneath. It is a matter of surprise 
that only a few persons were injured, and those but slightly — 
had the building been higher, or the circumstances less 
favorable, a catastrophe like that at Hurst's Mill might have 
occurred. The structure was a mass of flames when the 
firemen reached it, and their efforts were principally directed 
towards preventing the destruction of the Miller House and 
other adjoining buildings. The loss of the proprietors, 
Scott & Stewart, upon machinery and stock, was between 
135,000 and $40,000, which was covered by insurance for 
$22,000, The loss on the building was $3,000. 

On the morning of the 14th, a fire broke out in the third 
story of the Erie Mill, on Erie street, caused by the falling 
of a small bit of waste, ignited by the gas, into a pile of 
laps upon the floor. It was some fifteen minutes before 



1873. History of Cohoes. 215 

an alarm could be sounded and when the firemen arrived 
the two upper stories of the mill were in flames. The de- 
partment could accomplish but little, for the water was 
shut off from the reservoir and there was not enough head 
upon that in the pipes to throw a stream into the second 
story of the building, and some of the nearest hydrants 
were besides found to be frozen. Fortunately there was 
no wind at the time, and the danger to the adjoining mills, 
Parsons's and Thompson & Horrocks's, was comparatively 
slight. The loss on the building, which belonged to Wm. 
Burton, was $12,000 ; Mr. Moore, proprietor of the mill, lost 
on machinery, etc., between $40,000 and $50,000 of which 
$25,000 were insured. 

The necessity of procuring horses for the Admns steamer 
had been for some time urged in the city papers, but no 
action was taken on it by the common council. As it was 
evident, however, at these two fires, that much valuable pro- 
perty could have been saved if the department had been 
promptly on hand, steps were taken to avoid in future such 
disastrous delays ; and accordingly a few months later a team 
of horses was purchased for the steamer and the services of 
a paid engineer and driver secured. 

Among the evidences of the prosperity of the place — at 
this time at its height — were several movements which were 
set on foot early in the year, for important public improve- 
ments. One of the enterprises projaosed was the erection of 
a ncAV hotel, with all modern conveniences — an institution 
talked of and desired since the earliest days of the place. 
The Cohoes Co. were in former years in the habit of hold- 
ing their annual dinners at the Cohoes Hotel, and in 1840, 
when the house was managed by the Messrs. Fuller, elabo- 
rate plans were made, while the guests were under the 
warming influence of a generous repast, for tlie erection of 
an elegant hotel. It was to be built in the pine grove which 
was then standing between Courtland street and the river, 



216 History of Cohoes. 1873. 

on the ground now occupied by Fuller's building. The estab- 
lishment was to be fitted up in the most complete manner, 
and to have among other attractions, floating baths in the 
river below, connected with the hotel by a covered passage 
and a flight of stairs. The nearest this enterprise ever 
came to completion was the preparation of the plans, which 
were drawn up by Joshua R. Clarke — for in the next year 
commenced a period of business depression, the effects of 
which were severely felt here. Since that time the project 
had been considered by several different parties, and the 
columns of the Cataract, from almost its first number, con- 
tained frequent appeals to the citizens to take some action 
in the matter. 

The first movement of any importance was made in April 
of this year, when a bill was introduced in the legislature 
incorporating the Cohoes Hotel Co., of which the following 
gentlemen (who were to be the first directors), were named 
as incorporators : T, C Younglove, Andrew J. Root, John 
V. S. Lansing, D. J. Johnston, Wm. S. Gilbert, Murray 
Hubbard, S. E. Stimson, Wm. T. Horrobin, Henry S. Bogue, 
Thos. Colwell, Otis G. Clark, John Wakeman and Jacob 
Travis. The capital stock was fixed at f 150,000 with liberty 
to increase to $200,000, to be divided into shares of $100 
each. The company had several plans under discussion, 
but before any definite arrangements were concluded the 
panic came on, which, as in 1 840, put a stop to further proceed- 
ings, and at present the long desired hotel is still unbuilt.' 



1 " The owners of the city hotel property are contemplating the erection of a 
first-class hotel building on the site of the old building. An Albany firm of archi- 
tects already have the plans under way. It is to be of brick of modern style in con- 
struction, at a cost of from between fifty and sixty thousand dollars. It will front 
on Mohawk street, and extend back a distance of one hundred and fifty feet, a 
sufficient depth-to be reserved to allow stores being built fronting on Remsen street. 
The wealthy New York Spanish house which owns this valuable property, is pre- 
pared to go ahead, the only obstacle is the lease which the present occupants 
have."— Z)ai?y News, Nov., '76. 



1873. HiSTOKY OF COHOES. 217 

Another improvement suggested during this year was a 
fire alarm telegraph, concerning which there was considera- 
ble discussion in the common council. The expense of its 
introduction — $7,000 — was decided to be more than the 
city could then sustain, and the matter was dropped. 

On April 1, a meeting of business men was held at the 
Manufacturers' Bank to take steps for the formation of a 
board of trade in this city. Henry Brockway acted as 
chairman, and N. W. Frost as secretary. A committee 
was appointed to consider and investigate the matter, con- 
sisting of P. R. Chadwick, H. B. Silliman, J. W. Himes, 
Wm. Acheson and Jno. Y. S. Lansing. Subsequent meet- 
ings were held, but no permanent organization was ever 
effected. 

Progressive movements of this sort, though they accom- 
plished but little at the time, are worthy of record, for the 
full development of the above and other similar projects 
which have been mentioned, will surely come at no distant 
day, and it will then be of interest to know the time at 
which their necessity first became apparent and the details 
of the earliest efforts made in regard to them. 

The Mechanics' Savings Bank, which had been incorpo- 
rated in March, commenced business in May, its ofiice being 
established in the Manufacturers' Bank rooms on Oneida st. 
The following were the first officers: president, Robert 
Johnston; 1st vice pres't, John Clute; 2d vice pres't, Wm. 
Stanton; secretary, Wm. S. Smith; treasurer, Abner J. 
Griffin; assistant treasurer, Leonard J. Groesbeck. 

On September 22d, was issued the first number of the 
Cohoes Dally JSFews, Edward Monk editor and proprietor, 
and Clark & Foster printers. The paper was 18 by 13 
inches, four columns to the page, and the arrangement of 
the reading matter was the same as at present. The editors' 
salutatory was as follows: 

" The Daily News will be published daily, at noon (Sun- 
28 



218 History of Cohoes. 1873. 

days excepted), at No. 1, Granite Hall, Remsen street, Co- 
hoes, N. Y., and can be jDrocured at the news-rooms and at 
this office or will be delivered to subscribers at one cent per 
copy. The JSTews is especially intended as a local paper and, 
although a portion of its space may contain a brief summary 
of general news and miscellaneous matter, its columns will 
principally be devoted to the doings and transactions daily 
occurring in our city. With this object in view, items of in- 
terest and news about town will be thankfully received at 
the office of publication; also brief communications of a 
local nature will be inserted in its columns. Although the 
Daily News goes before the public to-day for the first time 
unannounced, we hope it will not be entirely unwelcome. 
With this much of introduction we respectfully present the 
first number to the citizens of Cohoes with confident ex- 
pectation that, if deserving, our enterprise will meet with a 
share of their patronage." 

On account of its proximity to Troy and Albany, Co- 
hoes had always been regarded as a poor field for a daily 
newspaper, and it was prophesied by many that the JVeios 
could not exist more than six months. These predictions 
have i^roved false, however, for the circulation of the pajDcr 
has steadily increased, it has twice been enlarged, and now 
holds an important position among the newspapers of the 
city. 

During the early part of this season a remarkable busi- 
ness activity had prevailed. A number of buildings were 
erected in all parts of the city — among them several for 
manufacturing purposes. Two knitting mills were put up 
in place of those which were burned in February, Mr. 
Mooi-e rebuilt the Erie on the same site, and John Scott of 
the firm of Scott & Stewart, erected the Enterprise Mill, 
50 by 50 feet and four stories high, on Courtland street, west 
of the pin factory, near the site of the old Stark Mill. On 
Simmons avenue, south of the cemetery, a brick factory 
200 by 40 feet and two stories high, was built by Trost & 
Bezner to accommodate their business, which had increased 
rapidly since its establishment. Among the blocks erected 



1873. History of Cohoes. 219 

for business purposes, was that of Campbell & Clute, 
100 by 80 feet, four stories high, on Mohawk street south of 
Courtland, in which they located their machine shop ; and 
also that of Patrick Rogers, on Remsen street near its junc- 
tion with Mohawk. A new knitting mill, with six sets of 
machinery, was established by Fuller & Hay in the foundery 
building on Courtland street. Another new enterprise was 
the machine shop of Tubbs & Severson, located in the same 
building. The station-house of the N. Y. C. & H. R. R. R. 
at the west of the White street bridge, was completed dur- 
ing the summer, and the local trains to Troy, which were 
a convenience much appreciated by our citizens, commenced 
running October 6. 

A number of important public improvements were made 
during the year. Considerable money was expended in 
grading and opening streets on the hill in the lower part of 
the city, among them Central ave.. Western ave., and Co- 
lumbia street. The latter street was extended at a width of 
sixty feet, to the extreme western bounds of the city, at a cost 
of over $21,000. White, Oneida, and Sargent streets were 
paved, at the following expense : White street, $13,346 ; 
Oneida street, $10,709 ; Sargent street, $6,498. The pave- 
ment on Mohawk street, which had been commenced in 
1872, was also completed. The hill in the southern part of 
the city, west of the Erie Canal, a locality hitherto unde- 
veloped, was greatly improved and beautified by its owners, 
Messrs. Crawford & Hubbard. The property was carefully 
mapped, a number of streets were opened, shade trees were 
planted, and Grand View Park, on the brow of the hill, was 
laid out. A camera obscura, put in operation during the 
autumn, afforded an extensive view of the surrounding 
country, which was enjoyed by a number of visitors. 

The degree of growth and prosperity manifested in Cohoes 
during the early part of this year was greater than any 
which has since been attained. The financial panic which 



220 History of Cohoes. 1873 

swept over the country in the fall, paralyzing every branch 
of business, had the same results here as elsewhere, and the 
condition of affairs has not since been such as to warrant a 
general freedom of expenditure. The effects of the panic 
were first felt here in November, and though they were not, 
during the following winter, as severe as had been feared, 
all the manufacturing interests of the city then began to 
suffer from a continued depression, from which, until the 
present season, there have been no signs of recovery. During 
October the various establishments in the city continued 
running, many of them having reduced the wages and 
working time of their employes. On the 25th the Harmony 
Mills were shut down, and the woolen mills ceased opera- 
tions a few days later, the water being drawn from the 
Cohoes Go's Canals. For some time there was great anx^ 
iety throughout the place. Rumors were afloat that none 
of the mills would be started until spring, causing appre" 
hensions of the most disastrous effects among all classes of 
the inhabitants. The local papers were, however, inclined 
to take a hopeful view of matters. The Cataract said : 

"There is as yet nothing very discouraging in the prospects 
before us, and if all will take courage and push ahead as 
far as their circumstances will allow, everything will come 
out right, and we shall see a far more favorable winter's 
business than has been predicted." 

Accounts of the condition of business here, most of them 
favorable, were also published in the New York pajiers, some 
of which sent correspondents to the place. The following 
were some of the views expressed : 

" The stoppage of work at the Harmony Mills, Cohoes, is 
not the unmixed misfortune which the first news led the 
public to expect. It is a step not unusual at this season and 
amounts at the very worst, to a few weeks' rest from work. ... 
K other cotton mills adopt the same remedy the j^roper rela- 
tions between demand and supply may become all the more 
quickly reestablished, though some little distress must, 
almost necessarily, be its immediate result." — New York 
Daily Times. 



1873. History of Cohoes. 221 

"At Cohoes, which claims a population of 20,000, the 
reports are more favorable up to the present time, than was 
to be anticipated. ...Under the present cii-cumstances Cohoes 
is in as good if not better condition to stand the hard times 
than any manufacturing town in the United States. The 
chief hardships and loss are likely to come on the manufac- 
turers and capitalists, who are puzzled to account for the 
present panic in commercial circles, and like their brethren 
in New York can see no further reason for it, than a ' lack 
of confidence.' " — New York Daily Tribune. 

" Altogether little apprehension exists just now that mu ch 
suffering is likely to be encountered. By those best in- 
formed it is thought that the new year is likely to bring in 
much increased demand for labor. None of the workers 
have left, or have even thought of doing so. All are hope- 
ful. But oft has ' hope told its flattering tale,' and why 
should it alter its habit?" — JSTeto York Daily Herald. 

After a stoppage of two weeks all but two of the woolen 
mills commenced running, seven of them on full time and 
the remainder on half or three quarter time. The Harmony 
Mills were started Nov. 24, an average reduction of 12? per 
cent in wages being made. The news of their resumption 
was gladly received. The Cataract published a very hope- 
ful article in regard to it, in which it was stated that the 
worst of the panic was passed, and that the condition of 
business would continue to improve during the winter, and 
be in the following spring as prosperous as ever — a pre- 
diction unfortunately not fulfilled. There was no general 
stoppage of the mills during the season, but the stagnation 
of the markets, destined to be of long duration, afforded 
but little encouragement to the efforts of those manufac. 
turers who continued. 

A matter which excited much local interest in the early 
part of 1874, was a dispute which arose in regard to the 
oflSce of city chamberlain. Mr. C. F. North was appointed 
to the position at an early meeting of the new common 
council, and the resolution by which he was appointed was 
subsequently vetoed as illegal by the mayor, on the ground 
that the alderman moving it was interested in a city contract. 



222 History of Cohoes. 1874. 

At a subsequent meeting, Mr. North presented his official 
bonds for approval and they were signed by Alderman Le 
Roy acting as mayor joro tern. Mr. Gary, however, the in- 
cumbent of the chamberlain's office, refused to deliver his 
books and papers to Mr. North, on the grounds that his ap- 
pointment was not legal, having been vetoed by the mayor, 
and that his bonds were not properly signed. A manda- 
mus was accordingly served on him by Mr. North, and the 
case was argued before Judge Ingalls of Troy. His decision 
was that the ajipointmeut was legal, but that the bonds 
must be signed by the mayor to be valid. After a delay of 
some weeks, the mayor on April 27th, signed the bonds, and 
the matter was thus settled satisfactorily, having furnished 
material for much animated discussion among our citizens, 
and numerous articles in the local papers. 

As in 1873, two serious fires were among the important 
events of the early part of the year. The premises of the 
Ten Eyck Axe M'f'g Co., consisting of three wooden build- 
ings on Courtland street were burned on Jan. 18th. The 
loss of the owner, John L. Thompson of Troy, was $20,000, 
of which |9,000 were insured. The buildings were occupied 
at the time by Sheehan, Jones & Ryan, who lost from $6,000 
to $8,000 in manufactured goods besides several thousand 
dollars' worth of tools and fixtures. The fire was of incen- 
diary origin. Another disastrous fire occurred in Root's 
Mill on the afternoon of April 2d. Tlie building, which 
was one of the best appointed of our knitting mills, was, 
with its contents, completely destroyed, at a loss to the 
owners of nearly $200,000, which was insured to the amount 
of $125,000. The bat factory of Edward Walker, situated 
in the rear, was also destroyed involving a loss of about 
$5,000. The fire originated in the picking room of the mill 
and spread with remarkable rapidity. An elevator near the 
middle of the building was the means of communicating 
the flames to the upper stories and so quickly that smoke 



1874. History of Cohoes. 223 

was seen issuing from the cupola within five minutes after 
the discovery of the fire in the basement. Great excitement 
prevailed when the conflagration broke out, as it was feared 
that many of the operatives would be unable to escape from 
the building, but the fire escapes, which had been provided 
soon after the terrible fire at Hurst's Mill, proved adequate 
to the occasion and no injury was suffered by any of the 
employes. There was great danger at times that the ad- 
joining buildings would be destroyed — the mill of Gregory 
& Hiller, on the north, being several times on fire — but the 
exertions of the fire department, assisted by the Knicker- 
bocker Engine Co. of Waterford and the operatives of the 
mill, prevented its spreading further. These fires caused but 
a slight interruption of business. Messrs. Sheehan, Jones & 
Ryan moved their establishment to the pipe factory build- 
ing on Saratoga street which they now occupy, and the 
.Messrs. Root immediately commenced the erection of their 
present mill which was finished in the fall. The main part 
of the building is 150 by 50 feet and five stories high ; on 
the north side of this is a wing 96 by 20 feet, four stories 
high, connected with it by arches in every story. On the 
river bank, entirely disconnected from the principal structure, 
is a fire proof building 53 by 35 feet, three stories high, con- 
taining the pickers, cotton cards, and lappers. The risk of 
fire is thus greatly diminished. The main building is also 
provided with every safeguard and means of escape in case 
of fire, and is in all its appointments one of the most per- 
fectly arranged knitting mills in the place. Its cost, in- 
cluding machinery, was about 1150,000. Another large mill 
just south of Root's was built by Messrs. Bilbrough and 
Dubuque — the old Mohawk Mill formerly occupied by Mr. 
Bilbrough having been destroyed by its owners, the Harmony 
Co., to make room for improvements to the Ogden Mills. 
The main building is of brick, 120 by 50 feet, and five stories 
high besides a basement. There are also two wings con- 
taining oflSce, store room, etc. 



224 History of Cohoes. 1874. 

The number of residences erected during the season was 
notably smaller than in the previous year. Several important 
buildings for other purposes were, however, constructed. 

St. Joseph's French church, built in 1869, had never been 
considered safe. In the following 3^ear its steeple was I'e- 
moved because it threatened to crush the body of the church, 
and the condition of the edifice became in 1873 so dilapi- 
dated that its demolition was resolved upon. The work 
was commenced in June, 1874, and the corner-stone of the 
new building, on the site of the first, was laid Aug. 23, 
under direction of Bishop M'Nierney. The sermon was 
preached by Rev. Francis Van Campenhouldt of Troy, and 
the ceremonies were participated in by a number of other 
clergymen from different localities. The building, which 
has not yet been completed, was ready for occupancy on 
Easter Sunday, 1875. Its 2jroi:)ortions are : length, 128 
feet ; width 70 feet ; height of nave 60 feet ; of tower and 
spire 206 feet. The cost of the building was $40,000, and 
it is estimated that as much more will be required to properly 
finish the interior. Much credit is due to the congregation, 
for their enterprise and liberality, in thus constructing, within 
a period of five years, two expensive church edifices, and to 
Father La Salle whose efforts in behalf of the new enter- 
prise have been indefatigable. 

A new church, the German Baptist, was organized dur- 
ing this year, the members being principally employes of 
Trost & Bezner. Services were for some time held in the 
First Baptist church, and a small building was afterwards 
secured on Simmons avenue which the congregation has since 
occupied. In the certificate of incorporation, filed Feb. 
4, 1875, the following were named as first trustees : Herman 
Bezner, one year ; Henry Trost, two years ; Conrad Muller, 
three years. 

A noticeable addition to the buildings on Remsen street 
was the Music Hall Block, 75 by 62 ? feet and four stories 
high, built by Acheson & Masten, at a cost of $60,000. 



1874. History of Cohoes. 225 

The two upper stories are occupied by a handsome and con- 
veniently arranged theatre capable of seating 1,000 persons, 
which was formally opened on the evening of Nov. 23d, 
by J. W. Albaugh's company from Albany, The entertain- 
ment opened with a dedicatory address, delivered by Miss 
Florence Chase, and the singing of the national anthem by 
the company. The play of the evening was London 
Assurance, the leading parts being taken by Mr, and Mrs. 
Albaugh, The post office was moved into the north end of 
this building as soon as it was completed, and the city library 
has since last summer occupied rooms in the second story. 

Of the entertainments held in the hall during the ensuing 
season, those of chief local interest, were eight evenings of 
social singing, which were well attended. The coui'se, or- 
ganized through the efforts of L. W, Mansfield, was some- 
what similar in plan to that which was held in Mr, M,'s mill, 
during 1865, and met with such success that it was repeated 
in the following year. 

Several times since its incorporation, the proposition had 
been made to bond the city for different amounts to defray 
the expenses of certain public improvements. A project of 
the sort was submitted to the tax payers in 1872, but some 
features of the bill which it was proposed to introduce, were 
distasteful, and it was voted down. In April of this year, 
another bill was prepared and presented to the legislature 
which seemed to meet with general approval. The common 
council was, in this act, directed to issue the bonds of the 
city whenever it might be requested by the commissioners 
of construction, for the purpose of opening, extending and 
improving the following streets : Columbia, from Mohawk 
to Lancaster; Remsen, from Newark to Saratoga; Saratoga 
its entire length; Ontario and Oneida streets, the Boght 
road, and the road leading to Crescent, Of the proceeds of 
the sale of the bonds, $75,000 were to be expended for the 
above purposes, and the remainder was to be devoted to the 
29 



226 History of Cohoes. 1874. 

purchase of a site, and the erection of a suitable city build- 
ing. The commissioners of construction named, were H. S. 
Bogue, Alfred Le Roy, David J. Johnston, Jas. B. McKee 
and Malachi Weidman, Unfortunately the bill was not 
introduced until late in the session, and no action was taken 
upon it. Several important municipal improvements were, 
however, completed during the season. Among them were 
the opening and grading of James street, at a cost of 
$17,000 ; grading of Central avenue from Columbia street, 
south to the city line, costing $5,000; grading portions of 
Saratoga and Howard street at a cost of $3,500, and con- 
struction of sewers on Rerasen, Lancaster and Orchard 
streets. The alteration by the state of the course of the 
Champlain Canal at the junction, and the building of new 
and improved locks at that point was completed in the 
early part of the year. 

The Cataract published at the close of the year a review 
of the condition of the knitting business, giving the results 
of interviews with each manufacturer. Most of the estab- 
lishments were running on full time and expected so to con- 
tinue during the winter. The conclusions of the Cataract 
were as follows : 

" It will be seen that the outlook is anything but dis- 
couraging to the operatives at least ... they have thus far 
known but practically little of the effects arising from the 
general depression which has existed during the year in all 
parts of the country. There has been little or no apparent 
reduction in the production of fabrics, and old piices which 
have ruled in years past in almost all the mills, have been 
paid. It is a noticeable fact that Cohoes thus far has never 
suffered from the strikes that have brought untold misery 
and want in many portions of the country." 

A recapitulation of the figures given in the article com- 
pared with those published in 1872, showed a falling off only 
in the number of operatives employed which was 2,405 as 
against 2,503 in the former year, while the aggregate of the 
annual production and monthly wages was even greater. 



1875. History of Cohoes. 227 

The discussion of several proposed amendments to the 
city charter occupied a large share of local attention during 
the first few months of 1875. The principal changes were 
in regard to the powers of the common council concerning 
assessments — authorizing them by a two-thirds vote to raise 
money for special taxes ; the powers, duties and salaries 
of the city engineer and city attorney — the compensation 
fixed for the former being $500, and for the latter |1,000; 
the duties and salaries of constables, who were to receive 
$100 per annum, in addition to their fees ; and the organi- 
zation of a board of fire commissioners who were to have 
control of a paid department. A meeting of the common 
council was called Jan. 30, to hear the report of a committee 
on these amendments, at which a number of citizens were 
present. After some discussion they were allowed the pri- 
vilege of the floor, and the following resolution offered by 
D. H. Van Auken was put to the audience and almost 
unanimously adopted : 

" Resolved, That it is the sense of the tax payers at this 
meeting, in view of the pressure of the times, affecting both 
business and labor in all departments, it is inexpedient that 
there should be any amendments to our city charter which 
shall increase the rate of taxation." 

After the passage of a motion requesting the legislature 
to take no action upon any such amendments that might be 
presented, the meeting adjourned, but another was imme- 
diately organized to consider an amendment creating a fifth 
ward, concerning which a bill had been introduced during 
the previous week. The sentiment of the meeting was in 
favor of such an amendment, and a committee was appointed 
to attend to its passage. The bill, which also made slight 
changes in the boundaries of the third and fourth wards, 
became a law May 1. 

On the 20th of May, occurred the most destructive fire 
that had visited the city since the burning of the Tivoli 
Mill. The polishing, finishing and handle shops, of the 



228 History of Cohoes. 1875. 

Weed & Becker M'f g Co., A^^ere destroyed, at a loss of 
$50,000, throwing nearly 200 men out of employment. One 
of the buildings destroyed was the original factory of Daniel 
Simmons, which had been in use since 1835. The company 
proceeded at once to the erection of a fine brick building on 
the site, which was completed in the following seasoji. It 
is of brick, 140 by 50 feet, and four stories high. 

The publication of a second daily paper, The Cohoes Daily 
Bulletin^ was commenced June 1st. It was a 28 column 
sheet, democratic in politics, and was conducted by J. H. 
Atkinson, formerly of the Democrat, and J. Barlow Luddy. 
The office was located in Hayward's building, Ontario street. ' 
A further addition to the newspapers of the city, was the 
Journal des Dames, a weekly paper, published in the in- 
terests of French Canadian ladies, and edited by Mme. 
Virginie Authier. The first number appeared Sept. 24.- 
Another French paper, D'Avenir JVational, the publication 
office of which had formerly been in Troy, was removed 
here Oct. 15, and located in Silliman's building on Remsen 
street. The paper, which was a weekly, was conducted by 
L. G. Leboeuf.^ 

An event of general interest was the consecration of Rev. 
Dr. J. H. Hobart Brown of St. John's church, who had 
been called to preside as bishop over the new diocese of 
Fond du Lac, Wis. The ceremonies, which took place in 
the church on Wednesday Dec. 15, were attended by a large 
number of citizens. The presiding bishop was Rt. Rev, 
Horatio Potter of New York; the sermon was preached by 
Bishop Welles of Wisconsin, and a number of other eminent 
clergymen from different localities were present. 



J On Dec. 13, the name of the paper was changed to The Daily Eagle, J. B. 
Luddy being editor, and D. Williams, proprietor. Its publication was discontinued 
Aug. 12, 1876, and the Northern Herald, a Sunday morning paper, established by 
Williams and Eagan. 

a This was succeeded Feb. 16, 1876, by La Patrie Nouvelle, Authior Brop, editors 
and proprietors. 

'Discontinued Aug. 11, 1876. 



1875. History of Cohoes. 229 

The dullness of business, continuing during the year, had 
prevented the outlay of capital to any amount in private 
improvements, and in municipal affairs the sentiments ex- 
pressed at the tax payers' meeting in January evidently had 
their effect. A few public works however, which were 
greatly needed, received attention. Among them were the 
grading of North Mohawk and Trull streets and McElwain 
avenue, at a cost of |5,000, the construction of sewers on 
McElwain and Johnston avenues and Mohawk street, costing 
an equal amount, and the ravine sewer near McElwain 
avenue the expense of which was $18,500. The latter, which 
is 1,571 feet in length, was an improvement long demanded, 
and one of great benefit to several portions of the city. 

On December .31st, arrangements were made for publicly 
celebrating the advent of the centennial year. The demon- 
stration, which began in the evening and was continued un- 
til about 3 A.M. of Jan. 1st, was thus described in the News : 

" The celebration of the Centennial New Year in Cohoes 
was begun by the parade of the Lafayette Guards shortly 
before the ringing of the bells at midnight. Tlemsen street 
was thronged with people, whose patriotism, added to the 
spirit with which the new year is always welcomed, caused 
a general turn out and demonstration. Huge bonfires were 
lighted, red and blue fire burned, cannon thundered, rockets 
and roman candles were fired and numerous buildings along 
the route illuminated. The bells of the city churches and 
factories clanged forth a thousand welcomes in brazen tones 
to the Centennial New Year, and even the steam whistles 
on the mills and Adams Steamer did duty on the occasion." 

A violent storm, which swept over this section of the 
country on the morning of Feb. 5, did considerable damage 
to property in this city. St. Bernard's church suffered the 
severest injury, in the destruction of its spire, which was 
over 200 feet high, and one of the handsomest in the neigh- 
borhood. It was constructed under direction of Nichols and 
Brown of Albany in 1866, at a cost of $10,000. The spire 
was broken off at its brick foundation, and crushing through 



230 History of Cohoes. 1876. 

a portion of the roof, fell upon the rail road track east of 
the building. The chime of bells, which had been placed in 
the belfry four years previous at a cost of $5,000, was badly 
damaged and the total loss to the church reached nearly 
120,000. It was expected that the steeples of the Baptist, 
Presbyterian and French churches which were seen to sway 
violently in the wind, would be also demolished, but they 
fortunately were able to withstand the gale, and none of 
the churches except the Baptist were injured to any extent, 
A smaller spire on the north side of the latter building was 
blown over, considerably damaging in its fall the roof, and 
also the residence of Mrs. H. R. Grant, adjoining the church 
on the north. A number of small buildings were quite 
badly damaged, and numerous chimneys in all parts of the 
city suffered demolition. 

In Mai'ch, bills were introduced in the legislature making 
a number of important changes in the charter, over some of 
which followed a long and animated discussion. The law 
committee of the common council having been directed to 
draw up needed amendments, reported several, of which 
the most important were the following: Giving the cham- 
berlain power to collect by sale of property the arrears on 
taxes since 1870, and allowing him an extra compensation 
for his services in so doing ; authorizing him to set apart 
|13,000 annually for the use of the water board, instead of 
allowing them a certain proportion of the moneys raised by 
highway and other taxes as formerly; empowering the 
common council to compel the construction and repair of 
sidewalks, and to appropriate $1,500 for the celebration of 
the Fourth of July. Two further amendments were pre- 
pared — one providing for the appointment of a recorder and 
fixing his salary at $2,000, and the other known as the 
" omnibus bill" — giving the mayor power to appoint the 
city attorney, city clerk, and a number of other officials, 
whose salaries were in several instances to be increased. 
The bill in which these were incorporated was drawn up by 



1876. History of Cohoes. 231 

private parties and was introduced in the legislature with- 
out having been submitted to the common council, and it 
was to these amendments that the greatest opposition was 
raised. When it was found that the bill had been favorably 
reported by the assembly committee, a citizens' meeting 
was called to take action on the matter. This was held at 
Egberts Hall on the evening of March 28, Henry Brockway 
presiding. Fifty vice presidents and eighteen secretaries 
were appointed. Short addresses against the amendments 
were made by H. D. Fuller, Justice Redmond, Jas. F. 
Kelly, aldermen Nolan and Ryan, and Chas. Kolb. Re- 
solutions were then adopted protesting against the passage 
of the bill without further hearing from the citizens, and 
requesting Senator Harris to use his influence against it. 
The opposition, especially to the clause appointing a recorder, 
grew less however, as the people became better acquainted 
with the provisions of the bill, and the Cataract of April 
8th, said: 

" The signatures of owners of over $2,500,000, of the 
taxable property in the city have been received to the peti- 
tion favoring the passage of the charter amendments, and 
what is the best joke of all, more than two-thirds of the 
officers of the citizens' meeting, called to protest against 
them, were among the signers." • 

None of the amendments were passed, however, except 
those providing the appointment of a recorder and assigning 
a fund for the water commissioners, both of which were 
somewhat changed since their first draft — the sum named 
in the latter having been raised from $3,000 to $5,000, No 
general opposition to the passage of several of the others 
was manifested among citizens but they were "killed" 
through the influence of a few interested parties. The first 
recorder appointed by the mayor under the new act was 
Chas. F. Doyle, who entered upon the duties of his office 
June 26, holding court in the common council chamber. 

Though the bill authorizing an appropriation had failed 



232 History of Cohoes. 1876. 

to pass, the general feeling throughout the city was, that the 
centennial year demanded more than an ordinary celebration, 
and that it would not be to the credit of the place, to be 
behind other cities in the neighborhood, in such manifesta- 
tions of patriotism. A special election of the tax payers 
was accordingly held on May 22, to decide in regard to the 
matter, which resulted in voting an appropriation of $1,000. 
A joint committee of members of the common council and 
Grand Army of the Republic was appointed to make the 
necessary arrangements, and under its direction, the pro- 
gramme of the exercises was agreed upon. The citizens in 
general took hold of the matter with earnestness, and the 
result was a celebration which did credit to the patriotic 
spirit of Cohoes. At midnight the principal streets were 
illuminated, and the usual discharge of fire arms, lasting 
during the day and into the next night, commenced the 
celebration. The main procession was formed on Remsen 
street at 9 a.m., and commenced its march soon after in the 
following order : 

First Division. 

Marshal and Chief of Column. 

, Washiugtonians. 

Green's Band. 

Third Separate Company. 

Post Lyon, G. A. R. 

Hook and Ladder Co. and Truck. 

Adams Steamer and Wagon. 

M'Intosh Hose Co. and Carriage. 

Johnston Steamer Co. 

Howarth Hose Co. 

Harmony Co's Wagon. 

Cannon. 

Second Division. 

Marshals. 

Green's Band. 

C. H. Adams Zouaves. 



1876. History of Cohoes. 233 

St. Bernard's Society. 

St. Bernard's T. A. B. Society. 

St. .Jean Baptiste Society. 

St. Joseph's Society. 

Third Division. 

Marshal's Aids. 

Drum Corps. 

Knights of Pythias. 

Delegation of Danid O'Counell Society, 

Ancient Ordei- of Hihernians, 

Carriages containing Mayor, Orator, Reader, Common 

Council, and School Board. 

Butchers Mounted. 

Merchants, &c. 

The houses along the line of march were almost without 

exception decorated with flags, or appropriate emblems. 

After the parade, the literary exercises were held on the 

balcony of the Bret Harte House, on Remsen street, Mayor 

Johnston presiding. They were as follows : 

1. Music by the Glee Club, consisting of Messrs. Targett, 
Green, Hastings and Taylor. 

2. Reading of the Declaration of Independence, by P. D. 
Niver, Esq. 

3. Music. 

4. Oration by E. G. Wager. 

The features of the afternoon were the parade of the 
Philibusters, who made some very apt local hits, and the 
Field Day and Picnic of Post Lyon, held on Simmons's 
Island. A display of fire works in the evening on the vacant 
lots east of St. Bernard's church, concluded the public cele- 
bration of the day. 

It has been before mentioned that a futile movement to 
extend Remsen street through to Saratoga street, was made 
as early as 1850. Efforts to carry out this improvement 
have been made several times subsequent, but with no better 
result. In 1870, the project came before the common council, 
who appointed a committee to ascertain its cost, which was 
30 



234 History of Cohoes. 1876. 

reported as $5,000. The question was again agitated in the 
spring of this year, and received then a larger share of 
public attention than at any previous time. The following 
in regard to the matter is from the Cataract of June lOth : 
" Remsen street is now only open to Newark street, but 
the city owns the land for 145 feet further south. It is 
proposed to extend the street through this land and thence 
at nearly right angles to Saratoga street, intersecting the 
latter at a point where the state yard bridge crosses the 
canal. If this is accomj)lished, a street will be opened 
across the Van Rensselaer property to the Mohawk river, 
at which point it is proposed to locate the western end of 
the Adams' Island bridge. It is claimed that the cost of 
the proposed extension will be less than |4,000. About one- 
half the property owners on Remsen street have already 
signed the petition." 

The matter was under consideration some time by the 
common council, and the final conclusion was that it be 
dropped, owing to the strong opposition made by interested 
parties and property owners on the street. Mr. W. L. 
Adams, who, in despair of ever getting the cooperation of 
the authorities, had decided to build the bridge from his 
island to this city at his own expense, was only waiting for 
some definite action on the part of the common council 
before commencing operations. As soon, therefore, as it 
was known that Remsen street would not be extended, work 
was begun. The bridge was completed during the past 
autumn at a cost of about $25,000. It rests upon five stone 
piers, and the superstructure, which is of iron, is 450 feet in 
length, and fifteen feet above the ordinary level of the 
water. The approach to the bridge on this side of the 
river, is by Ship street, south of Travis's lumber yard, which 
will be opened from Saratoga street east, and a bridge built 
across the Champlain Canal. The numerous advantages 
resulting from this improvement render it one of the most 
important of the year. Our citizens have been afforded the 
opportunity of purchasing at reasonable figures, pleasant 
and healthful building sites, located at a short distance from 



1876. History of Cohoes. 235 

the business centre, and an easy access is offered to a mile 
frontage on the Hudson river, whenever the growth of the 
city may make it needed. Fifty acres on this side of the 
island have been mapped and laid out into city lots, 498 in 
number, many of which have already been disposed of at 
good prices, at the auction sales which have been held 
during the autumn. Mr. Adams owns all the island except 
100 acres at the northern end, and intends to dispose of it 
in lots, as occasion may require. The streets laid out parallel 
with the river are over a mile long, and are to be crossed 
by streets running from the Hudson to the Mohawk, a dis. 
tance of one-half mile. It is expected that the company 
which was granted a charter to build a bridge from Lansing- 
burg to the island, will commence operations in the spring, 
and a short and direct road will thus be opened to Lansing- 
burg and the upper part of Troy. The route has already 
proved popular, though the only means of crossing the 
Hudson has been a skiff ferry, and will doubtless draw a 
large share of travel when the bridge is completed. 

Dui'ing the past year, the signs of general activity in the 
city have been comparatively few. Almost the only addi- 
tion of importance to the manufacturing interests of the place, 
is the Ten Eyck Axe M'f'g Co., established Feb. 23, with 
a capital of $30,000, by the following partners,: Abram, 
Albert and Jonas Ten Eyck and D. H. Clute, Cohoes ; Geo. 
Carrigan, Bayonne, N. J. A change in the firm will soon be 
made, and the capital increased. The works, on Saratoga 
street in the lower part of the city, consist of a building 
100 by 32 feet, containing forge shop and polishing shop, 
and two wings each 60 feet long, containing tempering shop, 
blacksmith shop, etc. The works are run by a steam engine 
of 60 horse power. A new factory has been erected by 
Albert Smith & Co., pipe manufacturers, near the rolling 
mill, north of Courtland street. The building is of wood, 
120 by 95 feet, and cost $20,000. The capacity of the works 



236 History of Cohoes. 1876. 

has been doubled by the construction of a new fi;rnace, just 
completed. 

Among the most important improvements completed by 
the city authorities, are the paving of Remsen sti'eet, from 
White street south, and the construction of an iron bridge 
on Johnson avenue, built bythe Canton (Ohio) Bridge Co., at 
a cost of 12,650. 

The material growth of the city is, of course, dependent 
on the fortunes of its leading branches of industry, and as 
these have been among the interests most severely affected 
by the panic, it is not to be wondei'ed at that during the 
past year, and in fact since 1873, there have been so few 
striking evidences of progress. The panic has not had the 
result, however, of causing a general retrograde movement 
in the place. Fortunately for Cohoes, most of its manufac- 
turing concerns have had sufficient capital to enable them 
to continue operations, though at a loss, during this long 
period of depression. Much suffering has thus been pre- 
vented among the working classes and the mercantile inte- 
rests of the city. Wages have, of course, been generally 
reduced, and a number of persons have been, at different 
periods, without employment ; bvit the condition of affairs 
has at no time been so bad as might reasonably have been 
anticipated. We have had none of those long continued 
strikes which have caused so much distress elsewhere, and 
the degree of suffering among the poorer classes has thus 
far been much less than in neighboring cities. 

At present the prospects are by no means gloomy. Nearly 
all the manufacturing establishments are in operation, and 
there are no indications as yet that a general stoppage is 
intended. 

The state of affairs on the whole, since 1873, has thus 
shown the truth of the prediction made at that time, that 
'* Cohoes is in as good, if not better, condition to stand the 
hard times, than any manufacturing town in the United 



1876. History of Cohoes. 237 

States." Its growth has been steady, though less rapid, 
than heretofore. Although the number of new buildings is 
small, and little additional capital has been invested in busi- 
ness enterprises, other signs of advancement are apparent. 
The population has evidently increased, needed public works 
have been completed, and various important institutions 
established, all attesting the fact that the business depi'es- 
sion of the past three years, though of course retarding, has 
not seriously interrupted the progress of that substantial 
development, which became especially noticeable soon after 
the incorporation of Cohoes as a city ; and which marks the 
succeeding period as one of the most important in the history 
of the place. 



238 History of Cohoes. 1876. 



xn. 

Manufactures akd Various Institutions. 

./\.S a conclusion to the history of Cohoes, now brought 
down to the close of the present year, a brief account is 
appended of the manufacturing establishments and various 
public institutions of the city, showing their condition at 
present, and stating such facts of importance concerning 
them as have not been elsewhere mentioned. 

The Cohoes Company, — This company has necessarily 
the most prominent connection with the history of Cohoes. 
By developing the water power and offering inducements 
for the settlement here of capitalists, it has been the founda- 
tion of all the varied industries of the place ; and has, 
moreover, by the construction of creditable works and im- 
provements, by liberal donations of land for public purposes, 
and in many other ways, contributed constantly to its growth 
and prosperity. 

The early operations of the company, and the more im- 
portant improvements made from time to time, have been 
previously described. No expense or labor has been spared 
in the development of the material resources of the place, 
and the facilities now offered for manufacturing ai-e second 
to none in the state. 

The mill privilege which was originally reserved by Mr. 
I. D. F. Lansing in the sale of his land, was purchased from 
him in 1859 for |20,000, thus affording the company com- 
plete control of the water power of the river from half a 
mile above, to a mile below the Falls. The supply is always 
ample, and during the past few years, while other water 
powers have failed at times, the Cohoes mills have suffered 
no stoppage. By the construction in 1865 of the present 
dam and gate house, and the extension, at different times, of 



1876. History of Cohoes. 239 

other canals besides those already mentioned, the facilities 
of the company have been greatly increased, and they now 
have a complete system, in which the same water can be 
used six different times, and which, when entirely perfected, 
will be one of the finest in the country. The following is 
the present arrangement of the canals, as classified by the 
company. 

No. 1, The upper level (canal of 1834), extending from 
the dam to rear of the Harmony Mills. 

No. 2. Mohawk street in front of Harmony Mills. 

" 3. From Strong Mill to Clifton Mill. 

" 4. Remsen street, formerly known as Basin B, 

" 5. Ontario street. 

" 6. Courtland street. 

" 7. Van Rensselaer street. 

" 8. Saratoga street. 

" 9. Grove street. 

" 10. Remsen street continued. 
Nos. 7, 8 and 10 of the above are unfinished. 
The total fall is 120 feet, and the available power is estab- 
lished at 10,000 horse power, but little more than half of 
which is now utilized. The water, together with the neces- 
sary quantity of land, is leased to manufacturing firms at 
much lower rates than prevail elsewhere — the expense of 
some of the largest mills for water and ground rent scarcely 
exceeding $1,000 yearly. The company charges $200 for a 
"mill power," which is 6 cubic feet of water per second, with a 
20 feet head and fall — or its equivalent — making an annual 
rental of about |20 per horse power. The exact quantity 
of power \ised by each manufacturer is determined by an 
accurate system of measurement, the details of which were 
perfected by ofiicers of the company. Among the most 
important of the recent improvements of the company, is a 
tunnel, completed in December, ISVG, Avhich adds greatly to 
the availability of the water power. It extends from the 



240 History of Cohoes. 1876. 

end of Canal No. 1, to a point on the bank of the river, 
about twenty feet from its bed, opposite the south tower of 
Harmony Mill, No. 2. Its opening is 6 by 7 feet, its length 
360 feet, and the fall fi-om the surface of the canal to the 
outlet is about 70 feet, affording a pressure capable of 
moving the entire body of water at least 7 feet per second. 
By means of this tunnel the necessity of stopping the mills 
to remove the accumulations of ice and debris in the upper 
canal was entirely obviated. The ice would frequently 
form to such an extent that the flow of water in the canal 
was materially obstructed, and the company were comj^elled 
to cut it out and remove it by hand, a tedious and expensive 
process. Under the new" arrangement the ice can be floated 
down to the tunnel gates and then discharged, without in- 
terrupting the running of the mills. The work was designed 
and superintended by D. H. Van Auken, engineer of the 
company, and was done by Houlihan & Stanton, about six 
months being required for its excavation. 

The officers of the company since its incorporation have 
been as follows: 
President. Canvass White, 1826-1834. 

Stephen Van Rensselaer Jr., 1834-1841. 

Wm. N. Chadwick, 1841-1847. 

Stephen Van Rensselaer Jr., 1847-1849. 

Teunis Van Vechten, 1849-1853. 

Robert Christie Jr., 1853-1854. 

Chas. M. Jenkins, 1854-1859. 

Alfred Wild, 1859-1868. 

Wm. T. Garner, 1868 . 

Secretary. Henry J. Wyckoff, 1827-1828. 

Francis Olmsted, 1828-1829. 

Henry J. Wyckoff, 1829-1834.1 
Agent. Hugh White, 1833-1834. 

Chas. A. Olmsted, 1834-1835. 

Joab Houghton, 1835-1840. 

Clarkson F. Crosby, 1840-1841. 



1 After this year the agent acted as secretary. 



1876. History of Cohoes. 241 

Hugh White, 1841-1847. 
Francis S. Claxton, 1847-1850, 
T. G. Younglove, 1850-1875. 
Wm. E. Thorn, 1875. 

The officers elected for the present year were: Win. T. 
Garner, president; Wm. E. Thorn, sec'y aiid treas. ; Wra. 
T. Garner, Wm. W. Niles, Samuel W. Johnson, Jno. Crosby 
Brown, David J. Johnston, Wm. E. Thorn, Chas. C. Birds- 
eye, directors. 

The Harmony Mills.— Proprietors: Garner & Co., New 
York, D. J. Johnston, Cohoes, Wm. E. Thorn, Cohoes. 
Chief in importance among the manufacturing concerns of 
Cohoes is the above, devoted to the production of cotton 
cloth. The mill erected by the Harmony M'f'g Co., in 
1837, was for some years among the most prominent in the 
place, and after the building of the Ogden and Strong Mills 
in 1846, this branch of manufacture assumed the leading 
position here which it has since retained. 

The change of proprietorship in the Harmony Mill in 
1850 was the beginning of a course of steady prosperity, 
and its owners, besides erecting several large factories at 
different times have come into possession of the other two 
mills, thus founding a mammoth establishment, the most 
important of the kind in the United States. The existence 
of a manufacturing concern of such magnitude has of course 
been of the utmost benefit to Cohoes in a business point of 
view, and contributed largely to its prosperity. Through 
its means large accessions have been made to the population, 
and the constant expenditures made by the corporation in 
wages, in the erection of buildings and in various improve- 
ments have been of marked advantage to the commercial 
interests of the place. But aside from this Cohoes is under 
great obligations to the proprietors of the Harmony Mills 
for the work they have done towards its material improve- 
ment. Their factory buildings are all handsomely con- 
structed, and the grounds connected with them tastefully 
laid out; the streets and sidewalks adjacent to their pro- 
31 



242 History of Cohoes. 1876. 

perty are kept in the best condition, and the well built 
blocks of tenements which have been erected in different 
localities — more particularly on the West Harmony — are 
creditable additions to the buildings of the city. Of these 
tenements, which are nearly 1000 in number, over half have 
been erected since 1860, Those more recently constructed, 
at the northwest of Prospect Hill, occupy ground which ten 
yeai's ago was used as farm land, but is now regularly laid 
out in well graded and macadamized streets provided with 
asphalt sidewalks. The tenements are let to the operatives 
at a merely nominal price, and in this, as in all other respects, 
the company has manifested a laudable regard for the com- 
fort of those in its employ. 

The depression of the past three years has of course 
severely affected the market for cotton cloths and in this 
establishment, as in all others of the kind, a general reduction 
of wages has been found necessary, though it has not been 
so great as those made in other manufacturing towns. 
There has, however, been but a trifling reduction in the num- 
ber of operatives employed, and the mills have almost con- 
stantly since the panic been running at their full capacity. 

The following statistics show the number of operatives 
employed, and the amount of machinery in operation at 
present: 







Operatives. 


Looms. 


Spindles. 


Mill No. 1, 




912 


712 


35,800 


" " 2, 




703 


1,038 


47,328 


" " 3, 




1,639 


2,654 


125,936 


« " 4 


(Ogden), 


403 


632 


30,276 


« " 5 


(Strong), 


220 


330 


14,424 


Jute Mill, 




97 


22 


850 


Bag Mill, 




147 


62 


3,440 



4.121 5,650 258,054 

During the past year 29,250 bales of cotton were con- 
sumed, equal to 13,700,000 lbs., and 5,600 bales of jute, 
equal to 2,240,000 lbs. 



1876. History of Cohoes. 243 

The production for 1876 was as follows : "79,500,000 yards 
printing cloths, percales, wigans, and jaconets. 600,000 
seamless bags, 2,130,000 pounds jute goods, 3,000 bales 
cotton batting. The value of the annual production is 
estimated at |3, 000,000, and the monthly pay roll will 
average 170,000. 

The present officers are : Wm. E. Thorn, agent ; Robert 
Johnston, general manager ; D. J. Johnston, superintendent; 
Wm. S. Smith, paymaster. 

Knitting Mills. — The manufacture of knit goods has 
always been a distinguishing branch of Cohoes industry. 
The first machinery for the purpose was here put in opera- 
tion, and a factory established, which for many years was 
the only one of the kind in the country ; the most important 
improvements which have since been made in the process of 
manufacture are the inventions of Cohoes mechanics, and 
many of tbe machines in general use among knitting mills 
are now constructed here. Though of late years it has been 
extensively prosecuted in other towns, Cohoes still occupies 
the foremost position in this branch of manufacture. The 
factory buildings in this city for substantial construction 
and perfection of detail are second to none in the country, 
and the goods produced have a wide reputation and com- 
mand the best markets. It is impossible at present to give 
accurately the statistics of production of the seventeen 
knitting mills which are now in operation. Since the panic 
many of them have been shut down for greater or less 
periods, and the number of operatives emj^loyed, and amount 
of wages paid, have varied; the grade and style of the goods 
manufactured have been changed from time to time to suit 
the market, so that the amount of annual production cannot 
be exactly named ; this of course, in connection with the 
fact that prices have been steadily falling, makes it im- 
possible to fix a definite value on the sales of any one year. 
The figures given below represent, in the case of almost 
every establishment, an average year's business. 



244 



History of Cohobs. 



1876. 





d 

.2 




PC 


o <s 
9 s 






S 


o 




bL a 


'a 






'p- 


^ 


K=- 5 


i> 




& 


g 






& 






02 

a 


a 




83 
> 






c3 


c 


^i 


< 


The Troy M'f'g Go. 












David Cowee, prest. ; Jno. V. 












S. Lansing, treas. ; Jas. L. 












Thompson, sec'y- 


10 


229 


$5,500 


40,000 


$275,000 


The Root M'f'g Co. 












Josiali G. Root, prest. ; 












Samuel G. Root, supt. ; 












Andrew J. Root, treas. and 












gen. manager ; Geo. Wa- 












terman, Jr., sec'y. 


12 


300 


8,000 


45,000 


500,000 


J. H. Parsons d: Co. 












J. H. Parsons, Mrs. L. S. Par- 












sons, and W. S. Gilbert. 


13 


300 


9,000 


45,000 


400,000 


The Atlantic Mill. 












Geo. E. Thompson and John 












Horrocks. 


6 


105 


2,700 


22,000 


145,000 


The Ranken Knitting Co. 












Geo. Campbell, prest. ; Henry 












J. Ranken, sec'y. and treas. 


7 


145 


3,500 


22,000 


200,000 


American Hosiery Mill. 












Wm. M. Gregory and Jon- 












athan Hiller. 


6 


85 


2,600 


24,000 


120,000 


The Victor Mill. — Henry 












Brock way. 


6 


105 


3,000 


20,000 


150,000 


The Empire Mill.— Wm. & 












Jno. A. Nuttall. 


6 


90 


2,700 


20,000 


140,000 


The Star Knitting Go. 












Thos. Coleman, prest. ; R. H. 












Thurman, treas. ; 0. G. 












Clark, ag't. 


8 


140 


5,000 


27,000 


300,000 


The Adams Mill. — John 












Wakeman. 


6 


125 


4,000 


25,000 


175,000 


The Ontario Mill.— Wm. 












N. Chad wick, Jos. Chad- 












wick, P. R. Chadwick. 


6 


100 


2,000 


25,000 


150,000 


The Mohaiok Mill. — Samuel 












Bilbrough. 


5 


120 


3,000 


24,000 


150,000 


The Erie Mill. — Wm. Moore. 


4 


75 


2,200 


17,000 


136,000 


The Enterprise Mill. — John 












Scott. 


5 


110 


2,500 


20,000 


160,000 


The Diamond Mill.— J. W. 












Himes, A. C. Vail. 


6 


200 


3,000 


25,000 


150,000 


The Globe Mill.— AUred he 












Roy, Jas. Lamb. 


6 


100 


3,500 


25,000 


175,000 


The Pine Grove Mill.— B.. 












D. Fuller, Chas. Hay. 


6 


50 


1,500 


18,000 


100,000 



118 2,379 $63,700 444,000 $3,426,000 



1876. History of Cohoes. 245 

Iron Manufacture. — A large amount of capital is here 
invested in different branches of iron manufacture. The 
most important interest is the production of axes and edge 
tools, which from the foundation of the first factory in 1835, 
by Simmons & Silliman, has always been one of the special- 
ties of Cohoes. The goods turned out are of the first quality 
and have a world wide reputation. 

The figures given below in regard to this, and other 
branches of manufacture, represent in nearly all cases, an 
average business. It is difficult to obtain exact statistics, 
for as a general thing, the works are run according to the 
orders received, and the production consequently varies 
greatly. For the past three years, none of the establishments 
have been run at their full capacity. 

The Weed S Becker M'fg Co.— Officers : Wm. H. 
Weed, president ; S. A. Becker, vice president ; Jas. E. Place 
treasurer ; C. Riley, secretary. The producing capacity of 
the company's works is 100 dozen axes and 75 dozen tools 
daily. The value of the annual production is from |200,000 
to 1400,000, and the average pay roll is $9,000.' 

Empire Edge Tool Works. — M. H. Jones & Co., proprie- 
tors. The firm consists of M. H. Jones and A. G. Peck. 
From 60 to 75 men are employed at a pay roll of $2,000 to 
$2,500. The annual production is from 10,000 to 15,000 
dozen axes and tools valued at from $75,000 to $100,000. 

The Ten Eyck Axe M\fg Co.— Jonas S. Ten Eyck, trea- 
surer. The company employs from 40 to 50 men at an 
average pay I'oll of $1,200. The daily production is 500 
pieces, including both axes and edge tools. 

The Cohoes Rolling Mill. — Morrison, Colwell & Page, 
proprietors. The firm manufactures bar and band iron. 
About 200 men are employed at a pay roll of $6,000. The 
annual production is 6,000 tons of iron at an average value 
of $60 per ton. 



' Per month . This is to be understood in the case of each concern mentioned. 



246 History of Cohoes. 1876. 

Empire Tube Works. — Albert Smith & Co. proprietors. 
The firm manufactures gas and steam pipe. About 30 men 
are employed at a pay roll of $1,250. Five tons of iron are 
used daily. The annual production of the works is 3,000,000 
feet of pipe at an average value of $180,000. 

Campbell and Chite. — The firm manufactures chiefly 
knitting machinery. On an average 40 hands are employed 
at a pay roll of $2,000. The annual production is valued at 
$100,000. 

William T. Horrohin. — Mr. Horrobin is proprietor of 
the Cohoes Iron Foundery and Machine shop. He manu- 
factures chiefly cotton, woolen and flouring mill machinery, 
and architectural iron work. When running full 150 work- 
men are employed at a pay roll of $6,000, and the annual 
production is valued at $200,000. The capacity of the 
furnace is 8 to 10 tons per day. 

Tuhhs & Severson. — The firm manufactures knitting 
machinery. On an average 15 hands are employed at a pay 
roll of $800. The annual production is worth $15,000. 
Miscellaneous. 

Cohoes Knitting Needle Factory. — Henry Dawson and 
Chas. Knott, proprietors. The firm employs 15 hands. The 
annual production is 2,500,000 needles valued at $15,000. 

Sash and Blind Factory. — A. J. Grifiin, proprietor. On 
an average 12 men are employed at a pay roll of $600. The 
annual production is valued at $30,000. 

Cohoes Bedstead Factory. — P. S. Holsapple, proprietor. 
The articles manufactured are bedsteads, cribs and cradles. 
About 25 men are employed at a pay roll of $1,200. The 
average annual production is valued at $50,000. 

Cohoes Straio Board Co. — Officers: T. G. Younglove, 
pres't; M. S. Younglove, vice pres't; J. W. Moore, sec'y; 
Henry W. Edwards, treas. Employment is given to 25 
men at a pay roll of $1,350. The daily production is 5 to 
6 tons of straw board, the value of which amounts annually 



1876. History of Cohoes. 247 

to between 175,000 and $125,000. During the year 2,500 
tons of straw are consumed. 

Flouring Mill. — Jas. McMartiu proprietor. Nine hands 
are employed at a pay roll of $450. The annual production 
is 40,000 bbls. valued at $280,000. 

American Soap Co. — Mrs. H, R, Grant, jDroprietor. Six 
hands are employed at a pay roll of $212. The annual pro- 
duction is 395,000 lbs. of soap of different kinds, valued at 
$21,750. 

Cohoes Lime and Cement Co. — Officers : D. T. Lamb, 
pres't; T. G. Younglove, sec'y; D. H. Van Auken, treas. 
The company employs 45 hands at a pay roll of $2,000. 
Annual production is valued at $100,000. 

The Trost and Bezner M''fg Co. — John T. Saxe, pro- 
prietor. This establishment manufactures furniture and 
fancy articles in wood of various kinds. 50 hands are em- 
ployed at an average pay roll of $2,100. The estimated 
value of the annual production is $75,000. 

The Cohoes War2y and Thread Co. — Collins Arnold, 
treas. About 60 operatives are employed at a pay roll of 
$1,400. The annual production is 416,000 lbs. of hosiery 
yarns, valued at $110,000. 

Brick Yard. — Patrick Rogers, proprietor. Annual pro- 
duction at present 1,000,000 brick valued at $8,000, but in 
a good building season from 5,000,000 to 8,000,000 brick 
are manufactured^ 

Paper Box Factories. — Of these there are five, the 
proprietors being as follows : Isaac Clute, established 
Aug. 1, 1864 ; David Morris, established 1865 ; F. E. 
Pennock, established June, 1868; J. C. Sanford, established 
March 18, 1872 ; J. S. and E. Hughes, Jan. 1, 1876. The 
specialty of all these establishments is boxes for knit goods 
for the home trade, though some of them have at times 
turned out boxes for collars and other purposes. The busi- 
ness, though commenced not long since, has become quite 



248 History of Cohoes. 1876. 

an important feature of Cohoes manufactures. Before 
the panic, employment was given to from 100 to 125 hands, 
and nearly 1,000,000 boxes were annually produced. Exact 
figures of the production at present cannot be ascertained. 
The above establishments do not vary greatly in capacity, 
and each employs from 10 to 20 hands, according to the 
condition of business — at a monthly pay roll of from |400 to 
$600, producing from 500 to 800 boxes daily at an annual 
value of from 115,000 to $20,000. 

Newspapers, etc. 

The Cohoes Cataract. — William Bean, proprietor. Size 
26 by 38 inches, 8 columns to the page. It is published every 
Saturday morning, and is republican in politics. The pro- 
prietors of the Cataract since its foundation have been as 
follows : Stow & Co., Jan. 1st, to March 1st, 1849 ; Silli- 
man & Miller: to Aug., 1851; James H. Masten: to Axxg. 
1856; A. F. Onderdonk: to Dec, 1856: Jas. H. Masten: to 
Dec, 1867; A. S. Baker & Co.: to Dec, 1869; Jas. 
H. Masten & Co. : to Dec, 1870 ; Jas. H. Masten : to 
July 15, 1871; William Bean. The publication office was 
removed by Silliman and Miller, in Nov., 1850, to the old 
Presbyterian church, corner Factory and Remsen streets, 
where it remained for eight years, and was then established 
by Jas. H. Masten in the third story of Caw and Quacken- 
bush's (now Silliman's) building, the entrance being on 
Oneida street. In this building it has since remained (though 
it is now on the ground floor), with the exception of an in- 
terval from Jan., 1870, to April, 1875, when it was located 
in the second story of Adams' block, Remsen street. 

The Cohoes Democrat. — Jas. F. Kelly, proprietor. Size 
26 by 40 inches, 8 columns to the page. Published every Satur- 
day morning. Mr. Cady's interest in the paper was bought 
by Jas. F. Kelly, in Nov., 1870, and the partnership of 
Atkinson and Kelly formed, which was dissolved Aug. 29, 
1873, by the retirement of Mr. Atkinson. The publication 



1876. History of Cohoes. 249 

office of the paper has remained since its establishment in 
the second story of North's block, Mohawk street. 

Tlie Cohoes Daily Nevjs. — Edward Monk and Samuel 
Sault, proprietors. Size 22 by .30 inches 6 columns to the page. 
Published at noon every day except Sundays. Independent 
in politics. The name of Mr. Sault first appeared as a 
partner, June 3d, 1874. The office of the paper was moved 
from Granite Hall, to the third story of North's block, Dec. 
20, 1873, and was establishcil in its present location, Camp- 
bell and Clute's block, Mohawk street, April 25, 1874. 

La Patrie JSfoiivelle. — J. B, Authier & Bro., proprietors. 
Size 18 by 26 inches, 5 columns to the page. Published every 
Tuesday, Republican in politics. The office has been loca- 
ted since the paper was established, in Lynch's building, 
Remsen street near Columbia street. 

The JVorthern Herald. — Williams and Eagan, proprie- 
tors. Size 30 by 44 inches, 6 columns to the page, quarto. It 
appears every Sunday morning. Independent in politics. 
The first number was issued Sept. 4th, from 83 Ontario 
street, which had been occupied as the office of the Eagle. 

TJie People's Railway Guide. — Chas. S. Pease, pro- 
prietor, 24 pages. Established Oct., 1875, and is published 
every fortnight. 

Banking Institutions. 

The National Bank of Cohoes. — C. H, Adams, president ; 
Murray Hubbard, cashier. Became a National Bank, May 
31, 1865. Its capital was increased from $100,000 to 
$250,000 Aug., 1872. Mr. Hubbard was elected cashier 
March 5th, 1862, in place of James M. Sill. Mi*. Adams 
became president after the death of Mr. Egberts, in March, 
1869. 

Manufacturers'' Bank of Cohoes. — Wm. E. Thorn, pre- 
sident ; Norman W. Frost, cashier. Its capital was in- 
creased from $100,000 to $150,000, July 1, 1874. 

Cohoes Savings Institution. — Henry D. Fuller, presi- 
32 



250 History of Cohoes. 1876. 

dent ; John Hay, secretary; T, G, Younglove, treasurer ; 
Edward W. Fuller, ass't treas. 

Mechanics' Savings Bank. — Robert Johnston, president; 
William S. Smith, secretary ; Abner J. Griffin, treasurer ; 
Le Roy Vermilyea, ass't treas. 

Post Office. 
Jas. H. Hasten, P. M. ; A. W. Adams, Geo. W. Cook, 
clerks. The first post office was located at Mr. Water- 
man's, near the junction. On the appointment of Mr. 
Howe, it was moved to his new store on the canal bank 
near the present Jute Mill, where it remained for a short 
time. It was, in 1833, taken to the building just erected by 
E. L. Miller, on Mohawk street, opposite the City Hotel. 
When this was burned in 1847, the office was moved to a 
building on the west side of Mohawk street, between Oneida 
and St. John's alley. In May, 1851, it was established in 
a building erected by Dr. Carter, on Oneida street, east of 
Remsen,! where it remained until 1861, with the excejition 
of a few months (August to October), in 1854, when it was 
moved to a building in St. John's alley, in the rear of J. 
M. Brown's (now Mrs. I. Terry's) store. On the appoint- 
ment of I. W. Chesebro, in August, 1861, the office was 
located in his drug store on Remsen street.- In 1865, J, 
H. Masten transferred it to his building on the site of Music 
Hall, in which locality it has since remained, except while 
the new building was in progress of erection — during which 
time the office was located in Rogers' block. 
The postmasters have been as follows : 

Frederick Y. Waterman, appointed 23d Feb.. 1832. 

Hezekiah Howe, " 13th July, 1833. 

Peter F. Daw, " 28th July, 1854. 

Geo. H. Wager, " 7th June, 1855. 

Izrakiah W. Chesebro, " 7th Aug., 1861. 

Jas. H. Masten, " 16th June, 1865. 



> Now A. H. Frink's cigar store. » Now occupied by Ten Eyck & Browne. 



1876. 



History of Cohoes. 



261 



Samuel D. Trull,' appointed 19tli Oct., 1866. 

Jas. H. Hasten, " 20tli Oct., 1867. 

The clerks in the post-office have at different times kept 
records of the way in which Cohoes was spelled on letters 
received at the office, some of which have been published 
in the local paper. The following list, recently prepared, 
presents more varieties of orthography than any of those 
which have previously appeared: 



Kahouse 


Kaho 


Coughoos 


Kehooze 


Coohoos 


Cuchues 


Choswos 


Chuhouse 


Chosoea 


Calhoue 


Coehoose 


Hachooze 


Coalioos 


Cughes 


Kohouze 


Chouhose 


Cohoo 


Cououse 


Cohouse 


Choohoo 


Coose 


Kowhes 


Coehoose 


Cougheoes 


Cauhoose 


Cochoes 


Koehoughs 


Co House 


Cowhes 


Choess 


Chogues 


Cousfall 


Cowhewes 


Couwoos 


Cooce 


Cohoughs 


Cohewes 


Gehus 


Coohooeas 


Coohoo falls 


Gohues 


Gohose 


Calhouse 


Choeos 


Chohes 


Cocose 


Coquis 


Koihrs 


Chohose 


Tohoes 


Capaes 


Choo Has-falls 


Chose 


Cocuse 


Coohuis 


Kahouse 


Cohyose 


Colose 


Chaooze 


Choohouse 


Coheys 


Cohoer 


Kahahause 


Kawoes 


Chohous 


Cohosa 


Keoges 


Cowhese 


Coughoes 


Cayouse 


Kooze 


Coughows 


Clohoes 


Cohooes 


Caous 


Couho 


Couhs 


Cohosse 


Coas 


Cohou 


Cahos 


Gohougs 


Cohose 


Chooess 


Couuse 


Dohes 


Choose 


Cohoos 


Caughues 


Caehaues 


Cahoes 


Couhoues 


Goolioues 


Chiohoe 


Cuhuse 


Couhouse 


Kohoose 


Coohooze 


Cohooes 


Cahoos 


Koose 


Ceoe 


Couos 


Coho 


Chouse 


Kose 


Choes 


Cohas 


Cahous 


Koohos 


Cohie 


Cohous 


Cohoze 


Coss 


Khoose 


Chaos 


Cahaaes 


Kohous 


Cohes 


Cohues 


Chase 


Coeys 


Crouse 


Gohoes 


Caboose 


Coehouse 


Choze 


Cohoase 


Gohoeses 


Coohooes 


Cohooze 


Cohaes 


Cohees 


Choohuse 


Cahose 


Cohaughes 


Cohoe 


Cohoise 


Couhous 


Cahuuse 


Cohouse 


Chahoos 


Cohohoes 


Cohois 


Cohause 


Keoues 


Coheas 


Chooes 


Cohese 


Coughies 


Choous 


Choese 


Coheos 


Kehoose 


Chaus 


Cowes 



* Appointed but not confirmed. 



252 



History of Cohoes. 



1876. 



Kewes 


Cowis 


Camoes 


Chohoea 


Gehoose 


Coohooss 


Kliouse 


Cahooes 


Cohowus 


Coquies 


Colcoes 


Chehaze 


Koohose 


Cochoos 


Coes 


Cohoese 


Kohoos 


Keuyer 


Cohoas 


Curhues 


Couhoes 


Cauauses 


Coewes 


Cowyous falls 


Cookohoves 


Coushous 


Coloes 


Cayousse 


Chouscouse 


Kahosa 


Cawis 


Cougliy 


Cohouth 


Chahoose 


Keahose 


Coujrh wheeze 


Coaches 


Chohoose 


Cohouches 


Cohoes 


Cheches 









Churches, &c. 

St. J'ohn's Episcopal Church. — The church was under 
direction of Rev. Orange Clark of Waterford, until 1833, 
when Rev. Cyrus Stebbins assumed the missionary charge 
of the parish which he retained until 1841, The subsequent 
rectors have been as follows : David J. Burger, 1841 ; 
Edward F. Edwards, 1844 ; J. B. Gilson, 1844-49 ; J. W. 
Shackleford, 1849-50 ; James Adams, 1850-53 ; Theodore 
Babcock, 1853-59 ; Alpheus Spor, 1859-1863 ; J. H. Hobart 
Brown, 1863-'75 ; Walker Gwynne, 1876. The number of 
communicants is at present about 500, and twice that num- 
ber of individuals are connected with the church. The Sun- 
day school, Robert Weir, sup't, has about 300 scholars. Up 
to 1875, there were entered upon the parish register : bap- 
tisms 984, confirmations 502, burials 481. 

Reformed Church. — The following have been pastors : 
William Lockhead, 1838 to 1840; John Van Buren, 1840 
to 1841 ; Gilbert M. P. Myer, 1841 to 1846 ; John Gray, 
1846 to 1848 ; Chas. N. Waldron, 1849. A fine organ, 
costing over |5,000, was placed in the church in 1866, a 
gift from three members : Egbert Egberts, Jno. V. S. Lan- 
sing and D. J. Johnston. The present membership is over 
300. A large Sabbath school is connected with the church 
of which Rev. Dr. Waldron is sup't, and D. H. Van Auken 
ass't supt. 

Baptist Church. — The pastors have been as follows : 
Revs. John Duncan, H. Rounce, J. Eastwood, E. Dwyer, 
M. Cameron, B. F. Garfield, S. Wilder, D. Round, Ira E. 



1876. History of Cohoes. 253 

Kenney, Robert Thompson, David Corwin, W. H. Maynard, 
A. J, Bingham, C. D. Gurr, C. A. Johnson, L. S. Johnson. 
The present membership is 380, The Sabbath school, of 
which P. S. Holsapple is sup't, has 400 scholars. 

Presbyterian Church. — The following clergymen have 
had charge of the church. Those marked with an asterisk 
were regularlj^ installed as pastors : Revs. Mr, Chamberlin, 
Dec, 1839 ; Mr. Allen, 1840 ; *John Gray, Oct. 22, 1841 ; 
L. H. Pease, May 22, 1843 ; Daniel C. Frost, Oct. 3, 1845 ; 
*R. P. Stanton, Feb, 9, 1848 ; *Stephen Bush, Feb. 1, 1855 ; 
Villeroy D. Reed, April, 1860 ; H. G, Blinn ; *F, W. Flint, 
1864 ; Horatio Pattengill, 1866 ; *Wm. M. Johnson, Oct. 
1, 1867. The lecture room east of the church was erected 
in 1865 at a cost of $3,000, The parsonage, at the corner 
of Ontario and Mohawk streets, was purchased during the 
same year, from the estate of Wm. G. Caw for $6,000. 
During the present season a fine organ, costing |3,150, has 
been placed in the church, and the lecture room has been 
greatly enlarged and improved. The membership of the 
church is 400, and of the Sunday school 420. The superin- 
tendent of the latter is H. B, Silliman. 

Methodist Episcopal Chnrch. — Until 1845, the church 
was connected with that in Waterford, as one charge, and 
was under the direction of the following clergymen : E. 
Crawford, Oliver Emerson, Benj, Pomeroy, Thomas Armi- 
tage, ]Mr. Tubbs, Mr. Warner. The subsequent pastors have 
been : G. A. Wells, Cicero Barber, Jacob Leonard, L. 
Potter, Timothy Benedict, Myron White, Robert Fox, Wm. 
R. Brown, Ensign Stover, H. L. Starks, J. W. Carhart, 
D.D., R, R, Meredith, H, L. Sexton, Lorenzo D. Marshall, 
Horace L, Grant, C. R, Hawley, Wm. H. Meeker, The pre- 
sent membership is 450, The Sabbath school, of which 
Silas Owen is superintendent, has 500 scholars, and 55 
teachers, 

St. Bernard? s Catholic Church. — Rev. Bernard Van 



254 History of Cohoes. 1876. 

Reeth, the first pastor, remained in Cohoes until Oct., 1853, 
and was then succeeded by Rev. Thomas Daly, now of St. 
John's church, Utica. In June, 1855, the present pastor, 
Rev..Thos. Keveney, was appointed, who did not commence 
his duties until the following August, Rev. John Ludden, 
now of Florence, N. S., officiating meanwhile. Father 
Keveney is at present assisted by Revs. Thos. Silvester 
Keveney and Thos. Oullen. There are now in Cohoes over 
5,000 Catholics, exclusive of Canadians. The number of 
infant baptisms recorded in St. Bernard's parish from 1847 
to 1876, is over 5,000, and of deaths in the congregation, 
nearly 4,000. 

St. Joseph's Catholic Church {FrencJi). — The first pastor. 
Rev. L. H. Saugon, entered upon his duties Aug. 23d, 1868. 
The present incumbent. Rev. J. O. La Salle, formerly of 
Champlain, N. Y., came here after the death of Father 
Saugon, Dec. 19th, 1869. There are now about 2,500 per- 
sons connected with the church, of whom 1,800 are com- 
municants. 

German Baptist Church. — The present pastor, Henry 
Hilzinger, has officiated since the organization of the church. 
Present membership, 35. 

Park Methodist Church. — This was organized Nov, 9, 
1876. The building occupied is on the Bowery, north of 
Columbia street, and was erected by the M. E. church in 
1873, as a mission chapel. The first communion was held 
Dec. 3, 1876. Number of communicants, 51. The Rev. 
Hiram Blanchard is pastor, and Nathan Thomas is sup't 
of the Sunday school. The officers are as follows : Trus- 
tees : Nathan Thomas, Richard Herell, Monroe Tompkins, 
Jacob Travis, Aaron Goddard, J. S. Ten Eyck, Chas. 
Spanswick, John Wilber, John Dunlap. Stewards : Henry 
Farmilo, Geo. Mink, Henry Watt, Jas. Watt, John Viegle, 
Henry Van Den Bergh, Jacob Craley, Peter Nelson, W. 
W. Delanoy. 



1876. History of Cohoes. 255 

Harmony Hill Union Sunday School. — The present 
officers are: D. J. Johnston, superintendent; Joseph Wood, 
1st ass't supei'intendent ; Thomas Pillmgs, 2d ass't superin- 
tendent; Wm. S. Smith, secretary; Richard Bolton, ass't 
secretary ; George Dixon, treasurer; Abram Peck, librarian; 
Robert Campbell, ass't librarian; Wm. R. Brooks, janitor. 
The number of members at present is 1,124 of whom 203 
have been admitted during the past year. The whole num- 
ber admitted since the organization of the school is 3663. 
Public Schools. 

Cohoes was one of the first villages in the state to de- 
mand an improvement on the old system of district schools, 
and a special law, passed in 1850, enabled it to enjoy the 
advantages of free schools before other places in the 
neighborhood. The interest thus manifested among the 
citizens in regard to educational matters has since con- 
tinued, and the public schools have always been among 
the most creditable institutions of the place. 

The principal facts in the history of the system, and the 
erection of the earliest school houses in the village have 
been elsewhere mentioned. There are now in the city under 
the control of the Board of Education, 31 schools, thus 
arranged: primary 25, intermediate 4, grammar 1, high 1. 
Eight buildings are occupied, of which seven are the pro- 
perty of the city. They are as follows: 

State Yard school. — On Saratoga street. Built about 
1835. Is of wood, one story high, 32 by 20 feet. 

Columbia Street school. — Corner of Main and Columbia 
streets. Built 1856. Is of brick, two stories high, 60 by 
30 feet. It has been enlarged during the past year, and its 
capacity doubled at an expense of $5,000. 

West Harmony school. — Manghara street. Built 1859- 
1863. Is of brick, two stories high, 80 by 40 feet. 

Egberts High school. — White street. Rented of the 
trustees of Egberts Institute in August, 1868. Is of brick, 
three stories high, 38 by 36 feet. 



256 History of Cohoes. 1876. 

East Harmony school. — School street. Built 1869. Is 
of brick, two stones high, 43 by 28 feet. 

White yitreet school. — Built 18 71. Is of brick, three 
stories high, 66 by 40 feet. 

Pleasure Gromid school. — Corner Bowery and Elm 
streets. Built 1873. Is of brick, two stories high, 70 by 
33 feet. 

Lincoln Avenue school. — Lincoln avenue north of Spring 
street. Built 1875. Is of wood, two stories high, and 46 
by 26 feet. 

The seating capacity of these schools is 1950. The value 
of the buildings belonging to the city is estimated at |5 0,000 
and that of the lots on which they are situated as 140,000. 
There are now employed 38 teachers, as follows: 

State Yard. — Miss Alice Murray. 

Columbia Street. — Miss Sarah Runkle, Miss Etta A. Hal- 
stead, Miss Mary A. Winney, Miss L. H. Bowman, Miss E. 
M'Connel, Miss Wright, Miss O'Reilly. 

West IIarmo7iy. — Miss Agnes L. Bromley, Miss M. J. 
O'Reilly, Miss Jennie M. Chisholm, Miss Kitty McMartin, 
Miss Minnie Stiles, Miss K. E. Hayden, Miss E. L. Murray, 
Miss Katy Doyle. 

Egberts High school. — Mr. Oliver P. Steves, Miss Ella 
A. Page, Miss Anna E. Brewster, Miss Mary E. Robbins, 
Miss Clarke. 

East Harmony. — Miss Mary E. Hall, Miss Nellie Valley, 
Miss Louisa Robinson. 

White Street. — Miss E. L. Hastings, Miss Elizabeth 
Humphreys, Miss Belle Z. Van Der Werkar, Miss S. Ella 
Thomas, Miss Frank Mclntyre, Miss Sarah Lawrence, Miss 
Anna T. Hayden. 

Pleasure Ground. — Miss Emma Monk, Miss Harriet J. 
Monk, Mrs. De Graff, pro tern., Miss Susie Flagler. 

Lincoln Avenue. — Miss Ida Van Arnum, Miss Clara 
Brown. Music teacher, Mr. Otis R. Greene. 



1876. HiSTOKY OF COHOES. 257 

The Egberts Institute building on White street was leased 
in 1868 by the Board of Education, from the trustees of the 
Institute at a nominal rent, on condition that an academic 
department, or high school be always taught therein. The 
Egberts High School was then organized, succeeding the 
academic department of Egberts Institute. The teachers 
of this department from its organization, have been as 
follows : 



•oni July, 1864, to Feb., 1865. 
Feb., 1865, to July, 1866. 
Sept., 1866, to July, 1868. 
Oct., 1868, to iMay, 1869. 
Aug., 1869, to July, 1870. 
Aug., 1870, to Dec, 1870. 
Feb., 1871. 

Oct., 1873, to Juue, 1873. 
Aug., 1873,to March, 1875. 
April, 1875, to July, 1876. 
Aug., 1876. 

ing part of each year in 



Rev. Alexander B. Bullions, principal frc 

Mr. Charles P. Evans, " 

Rev. A. J. Bingham, " 

Mr. W. H. Nellis, 

Mr. Robert Hardie, " 

Mr. E. H. Torrey, " 

Mr. Oliver P. Steves, " 

Miss Emma Osterhout, Assistant 

Miss Ella A. Page, " 

Miss Mary L. D. Wilson, " 

Miss Ella A. Page, " 

Evening schools are taught duri 
the buildings on the East and West Harmony, Columbia 

and White streets, with an average attendance of 500. 
During the year ending Feb., 1876, 2,443 pupils attended 

the day and evening schools some portion of the year, as 
follows : 

In school building No. 1 First Ward, 233 

" " " "2 " " 612 

" " " " 3 Third Ward, 459 

" " " " 4 " " 337 

" " " " 5 Fourth Ward, 489 

" " " "6 " " 101 

" " " "7 " " 65 

" " " " 8 Fifth Ward, 147 

Concerning the expense to the tax payers of maintain- 
ing the schools, the following extracts from the last annual 
report of Mr. Hubbard, president of the Board of Education, 
will be of interest : 

" I think there is not another instance where a city has 
grown so rapidly as Cohoes, and greatly increased school 
accommodations have been required, that the cost of the 
construction of its school buildings has been paid solely 
from the taxes raised annually. For the erection of new 

33 



258 History of Cohoes. 1876. 

school houses, in other growing cities, money has been raised 
by the creation of a bonded debt. . . . 

In 1875, the per capita expense on the number of children 
enrolled during the year was $9.35; on the average attend- 
ance 124.79. I have not the reports of the following cities 
for 1875, but by reference to their reports for the year prior 
(and it is, I think, fairly presumable that their expenses 
have not since been diminished much), I find the expenses 
of maintaining their schools as follows : 

On No. Enrolled. On Ave. Attendance. 

Albany, $14.93. $27.14 per capita. 

Kingston, 20.28, 29.92 

Saratoga Springs, 13.46, 26.04 

Syracuse, 18.05, 25.74 

Troy, 14.35, 26.39 

Utica, 16.14, 25.96 

Cohoes in 1874, 9.41, 24.50 

The following table shows the number of children of 

school age resident in Cohoes, in different years, according 

to the census: 

Years. Years. 

1855, 1110. 1872, 9200. 

1860, 1605. 1873, 9504. 

1865, 4055. 1874, 9547. 

1870, 7679. 1875, 9607. 

1871, 8259. 1876, 8879. 

Fire Department. 

Cohoes has suffered from few disastrous fires. Those 
which have occurred have been at rare intervals, and in 
nearly every case have been confined to the buildings in 
which they originated. For the good fortune of the place 
in the latter respect it is indebted to a fire department, which 
from its earliest days, has been well organized and efficient, 
and to the existence in later years of a valuable system of 
water works. The first organization of the fire department 
and the substitution of steam for hand engines, have been 
related elsewhere, as being the most important facts in its 
history. The department is at present constituted as fol- 
lows : Martin Redmond, chief engineer ; John G. French, 
1st ass't ; Patrick Hogan, 2d ass't ; Elbert E. Richmond, 
3d ass't. 



1876. History of Cohoes. 259 

Alden Hose Co. N'o. 1.— James Barter, foreman. Or- 
ganized June 22d, 1860. First foreman, Daniel Simpson. 

Geo. H. Wager Hook and Ladder Co. — Wm. Maby 
foreman. Organized Oct., 1865. First foreman, Bernard 
Galligan. 

Chas. H. Adams Steamer Go. — Jas. A. Stimson, cap- 
tain. Organized June 17, 1867. First captain, L. Vreden- 
berg. 

Daniel E. Mcintosh Hose Co. — M. Platz, foreman. 
Organized Oct. 10, 1867. First foreman, Chas. N. Green. 

Robert Johnston Steamer Co. — Organized Feb. 25th, 
1868. First foreman, Daniel Simpson. 

Edioin Hitchcock Hose Co. — Michael Larkin, foreman. 
Organized 1869. 

Geo. Campbell Hose Co. — Wm. Dewar, foreman. Re- 
organized in July, 1870, from the old Cataract Engine Co. 
No, 1. 

Two companies, the Howarth Engine Co., M. Thornton 

capt., and the Nolan Steamer Co., Jas. Wilson capt., are 

not in active service. The former was organized in 1870, 

and for some time took charge of the Old Mohawk engine, 

their quarters being in the engine house on Johnston avenue. 

It was relieved from duty by the common council in Nov., 

1873, until suitable accommodations could be provided. 

For the latter company no apparatus has yet been obtained. 

The buildings occupied by the different companies were 

erected as follows : 

Campbell Hose House, Cataract alley, 1848 

Adams Steamer, > rr /-, -j i. /-. ■lo/.w 

Wajrer Hook & L. Co. \ ^°'^^^' ^"^^'^^ «*• <=°^- Canvass, 1867 

Hitchcock Hose House, Main st. near Columbia, 1869 

Alden " " Johnston ave. cor. Garner st, . 1869 

M'Intosh " " Oneida st. near Canvass 1873 



260 History of Cohoes. 1876. 

SOCIETIES, ETC. 

Masonic. 

Cohoes Lodge, iVb. 116. — Symbolic Masonry. Organ- 
ized Oct. 21, 1846, and chartered Feb. 5th, 1847, the mem- 
bers at the time being as follows: Ebenezer Wadsworth, 
W. M. ; Geo. Abbott, Sr. W. ; John B. Harrison, Jr. W. ; 
Wm. Orelup, Jr. sec'y; Reuben White, treas. ; Geo. C, 
Griffin, Sr. D. ; Elbridge G. Mussey, Jr. D. ; Stephen Doty, 
Tyler; — David Wilkinson, Orson Parkhurst, Lewis Valley 
Darius Parkhurst, Jas. Murray, John Sanderson, Isaac F, 
Fletcher, Sylvanus Twist. The rooms of the fraternity were 
first located in the second story of the building on the north- 
east corner of Oneida and Mohawk streets, then owned by 
John McDougal, and were afterwards moved to Lansing's 
building, corner of Factory and Mohawk streets, and still 
later to Silliman's building, Remsen street. The Masonic 
Hall in Johnston's Block has been occupied since August, 
1871. Present officers: Albert Ten Eyck, W. M.; Charles 
S. Travis, S. W. ; Richard D. Christie, J. W. ; Rodney Wil- 
cox, treas.; Paul Game, sec'y; Alfred Gould, S. D. ; James 
Aitkin, J. D. ; James Barrie, Sr. ; and Anson Tabor, Jr. M. of 
C. ; William Warner, Charles Nealy, stewards; Rev. W. 
H. Meeker, chaplain; A. S. Tai'gett, organist; Daniel Mc- 
intosh, marshal; Kendall Elodgson, tyler; Wm. Clough, Geo. 
T. Carter, Benjamin Smith, trustees. 

Cohoes Chapter, No. 168. — Capitular Masonry, instituted 
in 1858. Present officers : David Gould, high priest; James 
Aitkin, E.K.; Richard D. Christie, E. S.; William Clough, 
treasurer; M. Van Benthuysen, sec'y; John McNiven, C. 
of H.; G. H. Billings, P. S.; Henry Mills, R. A. C; Joseph 
Eccles, M. 3d V.; Kendall Hodson, M. 2d V.; Martin Gil- 
more, M. 1st v.; George H. Howai-th, tiler; Rev. W. H. 
Meeker, chaplain; Benjamin Coveney, organist. 

Mohawk Council No. 29. — Cryptic Masonry. Organ- 



1876. History of Cohoes. 261 

ized 1867. Present officers: L. D. Sanborn, T. I. M. ; W. H. 
Aiken, R. I. D. M. ; Benjamin Coveney, I. P. C. W. ; George 
Neil, recorder; H. Levison, treasurer; Joseph Chadwick, 
Capt. G.; Geo. Waterman, Jr., Cond. C; Rev. Geo. C. 
Thomas, chaplain; Thomas Hatcher, steward; James Du- 
rant, sentinel. 

Union Board of Belief {3Iasonic)^ of Lansingburg, 
Waterford and Cohoes. Regular meetings, third Friday 
at Waterford, Lansingburg and Cohoes, consecutively. 
A. Ten Eyck, president; Geo. E. Shumway, vice president; 
R. D. Christie, treasurer; John E. Gage, secretary. 

Odd Fellows. 

Spartan Lodge No. 210, I. 0. of 0. F. — Organized in 
1843, surrendered its charter in 1867, and was reorganized 
March 11, 1869. Present officers: James W. Clark, N. G,; 
G. G. Black, V. G.; Chas. E. Simons, R. S.; Chas. S. Sault, 
per. sec. ; J. Hiller, treasurer. 

Cohoes Encampment, No. 71, I. 0. of 0. F. — Organ- 
ized July, 1872. Present officers: Albert Porter, C. P.; 
George Dean, H. P.; Chas. E. Simons, S. W.; G. G. Black, 
J. W. ; James W. Clark, scribe; Nathan Shaver, treasurer. 

Temperance. 

D. J. Johnston Lodge, L. O. of G. T. — Organized April 
28, 1868. Present membership, 105. Officers: Deputy G. 
W. C. Templar, T. C. Collins; W. C. T., Geo. Mather; L. 
H. S., Ella Rowe; R. H. S., Mrs. Wm. Fletcher; W. V. T., 
Mary Ferris; W. R. S., H. M. Connelly; W. A. S., Ada 
Rhodamere; W. F. S., Jas. H. Crossingham; W. treas., Mrs. 
Margaret Leah ; W. chap., T. C. Collins; W. marshal, W^m. 
Efnor; W. dep. marshal, Eva Frisbie; W. B. G., Lydia 
Crossingham; W. O. G., Chas. Welles; P. W. C. T., Chas. 
Skinkle. 

St. Bernard'' s Teetotal Abstinence Benevolent Society. — 



262 History of Cohoes. 1876. 

Organized May 10, 1868. Present officers : Edward Welch, 
president ; Wm, Healey, treasurer ; James Caifrey, record- 
ing secretary. 

Temperance Brethren. — Organized ISVO. 

D. J. Johnston Temple of Honor. 

MiLITAET. 

G. H. Adams Zouaves. — Organized Sept., 1870. Pre- 
sent officers : captain, J. A. Stirason ; lieutenants: 1st, E. 
J. Clute ; 2d, E. McCready ; sergeants : orderly, E. J, Fos- 
ter ; 2d, John Egan ; 3d, P. J. Cannon ; 4th, Thomas Hig- 
gins ; 5th, W. H. Nolan ; corporals: first, John Grey ; 2d, 
H. Tanner ; 3d, James Neary ; 4th, Frank Egan ; 5th, H. 
McMurray. Membership of company 50, of staff 12. 

Third Separate Co. Infantry National Guard S. JV. Y. 
10th Brig. 3d Biv. — Captain, P. R. Chadwick ; 1st lieu- 
tenant, J. W. Brooks ; 2d lieutenant, Samuel Sault ; num- 
ber of enlisted men 115. 

Miscellaneous. 

St. Vincent Be Baul Society. — Organized 1865 ; William 
Acheson, president ; Wm. Healey, treasurer ; Patrick 
Healey, vice president ; Edward Flanigan, secretary ; num- 
ber of members 40. 

N. G. Byon Post 43, G. A. E. — Organized Oct. 14, 
1867, with thirty members and the following officers : com- 
mander, A. T. Calkins ; senior vice com., Silas Owens ; 
junior, Malachi Weidman ; adjutant, Le Roy Vermilyea ; 
quartermaster, Geo. VanDer Cook. Present officers : com- 
mander, John Nolan ; senior vice, Chas. Mc Collough ; 
junior vice, George Norton ; chaplain, M. Redmond ; 
quartermastei', P. G. Tymerson ; officer of the day, J. 
Helmerick ; delegate, M, Redmond ; alternate, Charles 
Travis. 

The Friendly Society of the Sons of Scotia. — Organized 



1876. History of Cohoes. 263 

February 12th, 1869. First officers : William Whitehill, 
president ; John Mc Ewan, secretary. Present member- 
ship 80. Present officers : John Campbell, president ; John 
Buchanan, 1st vice president ; Robert Taylor, 2d vice presi- 
dent ; Malcolm Mc Niven, chaplain; James Hay, treasurer ; 
Andrew M. Browne, financial secretary ; James D. Scott, 
recording secretary ; trustees : James Lamb, John Holmes, 
John Mc Ewan, Andrew M. Browne and James Aitken. 

Egberts' Lodge, Knights of Pythias, JVb. 56. — Instituted 
June 3d, 1871. Officers: P. C, Geo. Greason; C. C, Chas. 
P. Craig; V. C, Malcolm McPhail; R. C, A. Hoben; F. 
C, Jas. Delve; B. K., E. A. Mills. Present officers: P. C, 
Malcolm McPhail ; C. C, Thomas Page ; V. C, John 
Groves; P., Anthony Fairchild; K. of R., D. J. Sollinger; 
M. F., David Williams; M. E., Adam T. Stebbins; M. A., 
John Hilton; J. G., John M. Geer; O. G., Henry Roberts. 
Trustees: Thos. Page, Jno. N. Geer, Edward Buckley. 

/St. Jean Baptiste Society. — Organized Aug. 10, 1871, 
L. St, Charles, treas. 

The Cohoes Medical Society. — Organized August, 1874, 
with the following officers : president, Dr. J. W. Moore; 
vice pres't.. Dr. L. Boudrias; secretary, Di\ J. D. Feather- 
stonhaugh; treasurer, Dr. C. E. Witbeck. Present officers: 
pres't., L. Boudrias; vice pres't, Jas. D. Featherstonhaugh; 
sec'y, O. H. E. Clarke; treas., John U. Haynes; censors, 
Joseph W. Moore, Thos. S. Parker, Chas. E. Witbeck. 
Present membership, 13. 

St. George's Cohoes Benevolent Society. — Organized 
June, 1875, with the following trustees: Wm. Clough, Wm. 
Warner, Thos. Higgins, Lees Wrigley, Wm. H. Gwynn. 

St. John''s Brotherhood. — Organized Feb. 22, 1876, with 
the following officers: Pres't, Robert Weir; 1st vice pres., 
JohnHorrocks; 2d vice pres't, James Tubbs; 3d vice pres't, 
Michael Andraj; recording sec'y, M. Van Benthuysen; 
financial sec'y, Daniel M. Adams; treas., Reuben Lee; pre- 



264 History of Cohoes. 1876. 

center, Samuel Horrocks; organist, Harry J. P. Green. Pre- 
sent membership, 50. 

The Cohoes Boat Club. — Organized July, IS^G, with 
the following officers: president, Wm R. Benedict; secre- 
tary, Geo. H. House ; treasurer, Geo. H. McDowell ; captain, 
F. Hastings; lieutenant, Wesley Miller. There are at pre- 
sent 16 members. A boat house, 15 by 50, has been erected 
by the club on Adams's Island, near Mr. Adams's house. 

St. tToseph^s Union. — Julian Thibadeau, treas. 



Assessed Vccluation of Property in Cohoes. 

Years. 

1848 1421,452.00 1872 3,010,030.00 

1858 1,501,346.00 1873 3,098,630.00 

18G8 3,249,701.00 1874 3.-^62,608.00 

1870 2,894,335 00 1875 3,606,419.00 

1871 3,027.750.00 

Census Table. 

Years. Inhabitants, Years. Inhabitants. 

1830 150 1855 6,106 

1835 750 1860 8,800 

1840 1850 1865 8,795' 

1845 2029 1870 15,373 

1850 4229 1875 17,482 

The last census in detail is as follows : 

Total Pop. Voters. 







Natives. 


Naturalized. 


Total, 


1st Ward, 


6,415 


274 


629 


903 


2d " 


3,233 


359 


280 


639 


3d " 


5,041 


459 


559 


1,018 


4th " 


2,793 


310 


267 


577 



17,482 1,403 1,735 3,137 

No. of dwellings 1,761, Xo. of families 3,246. 



1 Private census showed 9,765. 



APPENDIX. 



Necrological Record. 

jLhE followiag record of deaths — exc(.-])t those occurring prior to 
1847 — lias been taken fnnu the columns of the Cuhoes Advertiser, 
Cataract, Daily JSfetns, and tlie Troy Times. 

In the limits of the present work it is of course impossible to give 
little more than simple announcements of deaths, except in the case of 
individuals who have been prominently connected with the history of 
Cohoes. In almost every instance where an extended notice is given 
it consists of an abridgement of the obituary article published in one 
of the above papers at the time. 

1834. 
Dec. 18, Canvass White, age>l 44. Canvass White was born in 
Whitestown, N. Y., Sept. 8th, 1790. His health, from his infancy, 
was always delicate, and being unable to share with his brothers the 
severe labor of farm life, his earlier years were passed as clerk in a 
country store at Whitestown. His mechanical ingenuity and inventive 
genius were apparent at an early age, and were turned to practical ac- 
count in the improvement ot many utensils in use on the farm. In 
1811, he was compelled on account of poor health to take a sea voyage 
from which he returned the following year. Soon after, he entered 
the army with the rank of lieutenant, and saw some months of active 
service. At the close of tlie war he returned to his duties as clerk, 
but his strong taste for mathematical and scientific pursuits rendered 
this life an irksome one, :.nd he soon left it, to pursue his studies in 
Fairfield, and afterwards in Clinton. In the latter place he was en- 
gaged for a short time in cliemical manufacturing, but this proving 
unsuccessful, he returned home, and assisted in the management of 
the farm. In the spring of 1816 he joined the corps of engineers for 
the Erie Canal under Benj. Wright, whose confidential friend and as- 
sociate he soon became. Mr. White had a most kindly and winning 
disposition, which won for him the esteem and friendship of all with 
whom he came in contact, and when in 1817, he made tlie acquaint- 
ance of Gov. DeWitt Clinton, it was but a short time before that gen- 
tleman entertained the highest regard for his personal qualities and 
the utmost confidence in his professional abilities. Little was then 
known in this country of the actual details of canal navigation and as 
the information given in English books was vague and unsatisfactory, 
Mr. White went to England in the autumn of 1817, at the solicitation 
of the governor, to examine in person the English canal system. 
During his stay of several months abroad he traveled over 2000 miles 
on foot, studying closely tlie construction of every canal, gate, lock 
and culvert. On his return he brought with him drawings of the 

34 



266 Appendix. 

most important structures, and the model of the first boat which was 
built for the Erie Canal.* 

Considerable difficulty was experienced by the canal commissioners 
in procuring^ a cement suitable for use in the construction of locks and 
it was finally proposed to import the needed article from England, at 
considerable expense. Mr. White gave his attention to the matter, 
however, and after repeated experiments, succeeded in manufacturing 
from a stone found in Madison Co., an hydraulic cement which exactly 
answered the purpose, and on which he obtained a patent in 1820. He 
was interested in its manufacture for several years subsequent. Mr. 
White's share in the construction and development of the Erie Canal 
was an important one. As regards authority he was second only to 
Mr. Wright, and every plan or measure of importance was submitted 
to his judgment before being acted upon. 

It was while he was engaged in the construction of the canal that 
Mr. White's attention was called to the eligibility of this locality as 
the site for a great manufacturing town. lu 1825 he devoted himself 
to the formation of a company to develop the remarkable water power 
of the place, and with the assistance of Governor Clinton, succeeded in 
interesting a number of cajiitalists in his enterprise. The result was 
the incorporation of the Cohoes Co., in March, 1826, Mr. White was 
the first president of the company, and acted as its agent. Though 
necessarily away a large portion of the time while engaged on other 
works, he devoted a good deal of his personal attention to the laying 
out of plans for the development of the company's resources and the 
formation of a manufacturing town. He was succeeded as agent by 
his brother Hugh White, in 1830, though continuing to have an active 
part in the direction of the company's affiiirs. He never had a resi- 
dence in Cohoes, but while engaged here, boarded in Troy. From the 
completion of the Erie Canal, until the time of his death, Mr. White 
was constantly employed in different parts of the country in public 
works of importance. Among the principal works which he planned 
or superintended during these j'ears, may be mentioned the Susque- 
hanna and Schu.ylkill Canal, the improvements of the Schuylkill Navi 
gation Co., the New Haven and Farmington Canal, the Lehigh Canal, 
(1827-1828), the Delaware and Raritan Canal (1830), and the Delaware 
breakwater. Mr. White was induced to take a contract for the com- 
pletion of the latter structure, and by the mismanagement of others 
was a loser to a large amount. 

In 1834 his failing health compelled him to leave business, and he 
went to Florida, hoping that the climate would have a favorable effect 
upon his disease, which was consumption, but the step had been taken 
too late, and within a month after lauding, he died, on December 
18th. His remains were brought north and interred at Princeton, N. J., 
where his family were residing at the time. The estimate in which 
Mr. White's professional abilities were held by his contemporaries, may 
be seen by the following remark of Henr}'' Clay, addressed to a gentle- 
man who was seeking an engineer for the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal : 
" Get Mr. Canvass White ; no man more competent, no man more 



1 This boat, which was called the "Chiftf Enpjincei- of Rome" in honor of Benj. 
Wrio-ht, was launched upon the ciuial between VVhitcstowu aud Rome, amidst the 
grealest rejoicinj^ of the people of the neighborhood. The model was kept in Mr. 
White's family lor fifty years and then presented to the Buflalo Historical Society. 



Appendix. 267 

capable. And while your faith in his ability and fidelity increases, 
your friendship will grow into affection. " It was also said by Gen. 
Bernard, U. S. engineer, " as a civil engineer he had no superior ; his 
genius and ability were of surpassing magnitude." Mr. White's 
gentle disposition, and the kindly charm of his manner, had endeared 
him to all whom he chanced to meet, and his early death was mourned 
by a large circle of friends. 

1841. 

Nov. 27, Joseph Mudge, aged 57. " Removed to Cohoes in 1833, 
from Ipswich, Mass , and being a first-class mechanic, he made needles 
for the first knitting factory started in America, by Egberts & Bailey. 
He was a man of education and could speak several languages fluently. 
He invented a system of stenography. His daughter, Caroline Augusta 
Smith Mudge, who was married to E. G. Mussey, June 8, 1845, was 
the first female who learned to knit on machines run by water power." 
— Biographical and Historical Account of the name of Mudge m 
America. 

1844. 

June 29, Levi Silliman, aged 59. He was born in Fairfield, Conn., 
in the year 1786. His ancestors came from Holland in the latter part 
of the 17th century, and settled in Fairfield, on a place which still 
bears the name of Holland Hill. About the year 1810 Levi moved to 
Albany, N. Y., and in 1816, was married to Clarissa Clark. He was 
a carpenter by trade, and was associated for some years with Jonathan 
Lyman, then a prominent builder in Albany. Afterward he was super 
intendent of the Townsend Furnace, and subsequently one of the firm 
of Rathbone h Silliman, in the furnace in Eagle street. In the year 
1835 he formed a partnership with Jonas Simmons, Sen., and under 
the name of Simmons & Silliman, they built and operated the axe 
factory so long and widely known as the Simmons axe factory. After 
remaining in this connection for several years he sold out his interest 
and purchased a veneer mill owned by Hawes & Baker. Just before his 
death he sold this property. He died June 29th, 1844, leaving him 
surviving, his widow Clarissa, and son Horace B. (both living 1876), 
four other children having previously died. Levi Silliman was one 
whose record is not found among those conspicuous in position among 
their fellow men, but few had more implicitly the confidence and esteem 
of tlie entire community where he lived. He was one gifted with great 
mechanical ability, and was often consulted by both practical and 
scientific men, and his (jpinions, especially when experience and study 
had been added to his natural powers, were sought and valued by many 
whose names stand high in the history of mechanical inventions 
and skill. In all Kubjccts affecting the community where he lived, 
although never olitruding himself upon the public notice, his wise 
counsel and discriminating judgment were sought and he never hesi- 
tated either to spc^ak or act his convictions. He was an active, earnest, 
humble Christian, and his religitm, underlying every motive and action, 
made him wliat he was. To him ]Derhaps more tlian any other, was 
due tlm organization of the Presbyterian cliurch in tiiis city, and the 
fostering care which nurtured it in its infancy. He always bore it on 
his heart and aided to hold it up by constant devotion and liberality, 
and when he heard the summons, " The Master is come and calleth 
for thee," he was ready to meet Him, and rest from his labors. * * 



268 Appendix. 

1847. 

April 7, Henry Winans, aged 58. Mr. Winans was the father of 
W. H S. Winaus, editor of the Cohoes Advertiser. 

May 5, Amos Russell Gay, aged 37. 

1849. 

Jan. 4, John Jackson, aged 78. Mr. J. was a native of Glasgow, 
Scotland, and an old resident of Cohoes. 

April 8, Thomas Boley, aged 44. 

April 19, Reuben P. White, son of Dea. R. White, aged 34. 

June 18, James Harris, aged 69. 

June 20, Jacob Vanderwerken, aged 73. Mr. V. was born in Sara- 
toga Co. , on the 16th day of December, 1777. He moved to Cohoea 
in 1823, where he resided until his death. He was well known as a 
charitable, public spirited citizen und was identified with the early 
history of the place and many of its improvements. Few residents of 
the village had a larger circle of acquaintances. 

Aug. 14, William Martin, aged 41. 

Nov. 9, James Yale, aged 88. Mr. Y was a revolutionary soldier 
and also served in the war ot 1812. He left a widow about the same 
age, 10 children and 23 grand-children. 

1851. 

March 10, George W. Miller, aged 42. 

March 15, John B. Harrison, aged 48. Mr. Harrison was for many 
years the collector of the village taxes and was much respected in the 
community. 

April 9, James Dodge, aged 63. 

Sept. 23, Philip Badgley, aged 27. 

Nov. 27, Joseph A. Wordeu, aged 65. 

Dec. 30, Samuel Ketchel, aged 43. 
1852. 

Feb. 3, at Caledonia Springs, county of Prescott, Canada West, 
David Wilkinson, aged 81. Mr. Wilkinson was born in Smithfield, 
R. I., Jan. 5th, 1771. He was the third son of Oziel Wilkinson who 
was a lineal descendant from Lawrence Wilkinson who came from 
England and settled in the town of Providence, R. I., in 1645. Oziel 
Wilkinson had five sons : Abraham, Isaac, David, Daniel and Smith ; 
all of whom like himself, were bred to the blacksmith's trade. David 
Wilkinson, with his father, removed to Pawtucket in 1783. From 
his earliest boyhood he had been engaged in the manufacture or 
supervision of machinery, and his abilities in this direction enabled 
him while yet a young roan to take a prominent position among the 
business men of Pawtucket. In 1789, Samuel Slater, the father of cot- 
ton manufacture in this country, came over from England, and two 
years later married Miss Hannah Wilkinson, sister of David Wilkinson, 
and at this time commenced the intimate business relations between 
the latter and Mr. Slater which continued for a number of years. Mr. 
Wilkinson then devoted his attention to the production of machinery 
for the manufacture of cotton and not only the extensive mills in 
Rhode Island, but most of those throughout the country were fitted 
out from his machine shop in Pawtucket. He was the originator of 
many improvements with which his name was never associated. As 
he said himself, " I was always too much engaged in various business 



Appendix. 269 

to look after and make profit out of my inventions ; other people, I hope, 
have gained something by them." 

One of the best known and most widely used of Mr. Wilkinson's 
inventions was the sliding lathe, invented in 1798, for which he re- 
ceived no adequate compensation until 1848, when congress, recog- 
nizing the justice of his claims on the country, voted him an appropria- 
tion of $10,000, '■ as a remuneration to him for the benefit accruing to 
the public service from the use of the principle of the guage and sliding 
lathe of which he was the inventor," — {Report of Com., on Military 
Affairs, March 28, 1848) 

In 1829, having suflered severe reverses, Mr. Wilkinson was c^.m- 
pelled to give up his business, and in 1831, at the earnest solicitation 
of the Cohoes Company, came to Cohoes. His part in the early history 
of this place has been elsewhere spoken of. To show the estimation 
in which he was held in Rhode Island, the following may be quoted : 
" David Wilkinson became a machinist of great skill and carried on 
the business in an extensive manner. He is a man of great enterprise 
and judgment, and his failure in 1829 was very much regretted. The 
capitalists of Rhode Island ought not to have allowed David Wilkinson 
to leave the state. But he is now planted at Cohoes Falls, and that 
place has already felt the benefit of his business talents, and his ardent 
zeal in internal improvement " — {History of Cotton Manvfacture, 
Philadelphia, 1836.) 

Mr. Wilkinson did not long remain in active business in Cohoes. 
He had much to call him away, and in his later years, was here (mly 
at intervals. The following, giving an account of some of the enter- 
prises in which he was engaged, is from a letter written by him in 
Dec, 1846 : " The prospects at Cohoes were flattering for a time. But 
nullification, Loeo-ibcory, Jacksonism, free trade, and such abomina- 
tions, killed the new village just born. Europeans who were applying 
for water power at Cohoes at this time went away, saying, now we 
were going to have free trade ; they could do their work cheaper ' at 
'ome' than they could in this country and they would build their 
factories there. We were compelled now to get our living where we 
could, to go abroad if we could not get work at home. I went to work 
on the Delaware and Raritan Canal, in New Jersey ; then on the St. 
Lawrence improvements in Canada ; then to Ohio on the Sandy and 
Beaver Canal ; then to the new wire biidge on the Ottawa River, at 
Bytown, Canada, and Virginia. Wherever 1 could find anything to 
do, 1 went." 

He was born and bred up in the faith of the Quakers, and always had 
a great respect for them. In mid life he connected himself with the 
Episcopal church, of which he was ever after a most active member. 
He was one of the princiiial founders of St. Paul's church, in Paw- 
tucket, and one of its largest supporters for years. At Wilkinsonville, 
Sutton, Mass., where he afterwards had large interests, he built a 
church, and supported a minister at his own expense ; and on coming 
to Cohoes, his first achi(^vement was the establishment of St. John's 
church, of which he and Mr. Howe were the principal founders. He 
was an active Mason, and one of the founders of Union Lodge, Paw- 
tucket, besides being chiefly instrumental in the establishment of the 
Cohoes Lodge, in 1846. He was a man of sterling integrity of cha- 
racter, and commanded the respect and affection of a very large circle 



270 Appendix. 

of friends. Hie remains were brought to Cohoes, and the funeral took 
place from St. John's church, Feb. llth. 

Feb. 6, M. C. Kirnan, a^ed 35. 

March 24, Evan A. Lansing, ag^ed 62. Mr. Lansing was an old resi- 
dent of the Booht — one of a family of six children, of whom two sur- 
vived him. In his death the community lost an honest and conscien- 
tious citizen, the Dutch church of (\)hoes a judicious counsellor and 
an active, zealous member. 

April 28, Paul Weidman, acred 30. 

May 15, James Abel, aged 54. 

July 2, Franklin Waring, aged 38. Mr. W. was for a number of 
years one of the leading merchants of the place. 

Nov. 17, E. D. Gill, foreman in Miles White's axe factory, aged 45 

Dec. 25, Baltheus Simmons, aged 52. 
1853. 

Jan. 16, Joshua Bailey, Sen., a revolutionary soldier and father of 
Joshua and Timothy Bailey, aged 90. Mr. B. was born in East Hamp- 
ton, Conn., in 1763, removed to Meredith, Delaware Co., N. Y.,in 1803, 
and lived in a log cabin seven years, enduring the hardships and pri- 
vations incident to the life of a pioneer. He removed from Meredith 
to Cohoes, in 1835, where he continued to reside with his son Joshua 
until the day of his death. 

April 9, Philip Vosburgh, aged 22. 

July 31st, John B. Vanderwerken, aged 43. Mr. V. was a son of 
Jacob Vanderwerken and succeeded to the business so many years 
conducted by him at the corner of Mohawk and Oneida streets, which 
he retained until he was appointed gate keeper of the Watervliet turn- 
pike Co., between West Troy and Albany, in which he was a leading 
stockholder. He held the position until his death. 

1854. 

July 26, Dewitt D. Slocum, aged 21. 

Sept. 27, John D. Perry, aged 72. 

Oct. 16, James Manton, aged about 28. 

Oct. 27, Alexander Ten Eyck, aged 32. 
1855. 

March 16, William Pundison Mansfield, aged 80. Mr. Mansfield 
was born at New Haven, Conn., in 1775, moved with his father's family 
to Litchfield, South Farms, and was educated at Morris Academy. 
He subsequently went into mercantile business in Kent, Litchfield Co., 
where he remained until about 1833, when he came to Saratoga Co., 
Northside. He married in Kent, Sally, daughter of Bradley Mills, 
and of four children born there, Mrs. Hugh White and L. W. Mans- 
field are the only survivors — the other children, a brother and sister, 
having died at the old home in the Housatonic Valley a tew years be- 
fore the family left it for their new home in this state, and here also, 
the mother of these children died in Feb., 1842. This family, in both 
branches, and their own kindred before them, as far back as is known 
to the writer of this sketch, were all brought up in the faith and 
practice of the Congregational church, and all who have departed this 
life died in that faith. Mr. M. was a man of remarkable firmness of 
character and firmness of principle and of most unquestioned integrity 
in all bis dealings, both with others and with himself. * * 



Appendix. 271 

April 13, Asahel Goffe, father of Demas and Augustus J. Goffe, 
aged 74. 

May 34, William H. Vanderwerken, aged 35. 

June .3, In Bellevue Hospital, New York, H. N. Pettis, aged 44. 

July 32, Samuel Stiles, aged 35. 

Sept. 11, in Picton, Canada West, Charles O'Brien, of Cohoes, aged 
26. 

Sept. 20, Milton, son of Joshua Bailey, aged 38. Mr. B. was secre- 
tary of the Bailey Manufacturing Co. 

Oct. 14, Christopher White, aged 43. 

Oct. 16, Nathaniel Selleck, aged 68. 

Dec. 3d, in St. Louis, Mo., Charles H., son of Guy Blakeley, aged 24. 

1856. 

April 37, Nicholas W. Smith, aged 36. 

May 4, Norton T. Raynsford, aged 39. 

Aug. 15, Wm. J. Clements, for many years the eflB.cient clerk of the 
Cohoes Co., aged about 35 years. 

Sept. 27, in Meriden, Ct. , Elias Howell, only son of Dea. Maltby 
Howell, aged 44. 

Nov. 38, Patrick Mc Entee, merchant, aged about 60. 

1857. 

Jan. 38, in Albany, Dr. C. F. Goss, formerly a resident of Cohoes, 
aged 41. 

Feb. 3d, in Richmond, Va. , William Brooks, printer, formerly of 
Cohoes, aged 31. 

Feb 13, Chas. F. Fergnson, aged 38. 

Feb. 19, at the Boght, Cornelius V. Fonda, aged 17. 

March 10, Liddell Peverly, foreman of the Cohoes Iron Foundery, 
aged 37 years. 

iMarch 23, Jonathan Hastings, aged 35 years. 

June 8, in Shaftsbury, Vt., Benjamin Hutcliins, formerly a resident of 
Cohoes, aged 32 years. He was for some time clerk of the village, and 
occupied other positions of trust. 

July 6, Dr. Henry Adams (father of Hon. Chas. H. Adams), aged 
70 years. Dr. Adams was born in Coxsackie, N. Y. , on July 6, 1787, 
and had thus just completed, on the day of his death, three score and 
ten. He made profession of religion under the ministry of the Rev. 
Dr. Livingston, and was for many years an active and useful member 
of the church in Coxsackie, until about 1849, he removed to Cohoes, 
where he connected himself witli the Dutch church. At the time of 
his death he was an acting elder; an office which for many years he 
had held in the churches of his earlier and later affection. In his 
profession, by his kind and sympathizing manner, he gathered around 
liim the affection and confidence of those to whom he ministered, and 
won for himself the title of the " bciloved physician." He was buried 
in the family burial place at Coxsackie. 

Dec. 20, Thomas Brown, aged 62. 
1858. 

March 8, Douw Vandenburgh, aged 86. 

March 1, Daniel Nugent, ago;d 47. 

March 20, in E;ist Paw Paw, De Kalb Co., 111., John Lansing, father 
of Deacons Jacob I. and Thomas Lansing, of this city. 



272 Appendix. 

June 20, James Barclay, aged 36. 

Aug. 19, in Dubuque, Iowa, E. H. Johnston, aged 39. Mr. J. was for 
some time principal of tlie Depot sclinol in the 2d ward, but resigned 
about 1851. The Galena Daily Courier in noticing liis deatli said : 
" In the death of Mr. Johnston, our city has lost a most valuable citizen 
and an estimable man. He came to GJalena in October, 1855, and as- 
sumed charge of the Institute, which he conducted successfully up to 
the present time. Possessed of considerable experience as a teacher, 
great energy, and devoted to his calling, under his auspices the Insti- 
tute became at (mce flourishing. Mr. Johnston was a native of Sydney, 
Delaware Co., N. Y." 

Sept. 20, Garret R. Lansing, aged 45. 

Nov. 3, in La Crosse, Wis., Henry, son of Paschal Brooks, M.D., 
aged 25. For several years Mr. Brooks, with his brother Thomas, was 
engaged in the drug business. 

Nov. 30, at Toboga, in the bay of Panama, Henry E. La Salle, first 
telegraphic operator in Colioes. 

Dec. 3, John Eastwood, aged 43. Mr. E. was a prominent fireman 
and an infiuential member of the masonic fraternity. 

Dec. 6, William Dickey, aged 52. Mr. D. was well known as a con- 
tractor and prominent citizen of the 3d ward. 

Dec. 14, I3y accident at D. Simmons & Go's axe factory, Thomas 
Golden, aged 45. 

Dec. 31, Robert Leckie, father of William Leckie, Esq., aged 68. 
Mr. L, was one of the earliest settlers in Cohoes. 

1859. 

Jan. 28, in Charleston, S. C, David Warren Leland, aged 64. 

March 11, Henry L. Landon, M.D., aged about 35. Dr. L. had been 
for many years a resident of the place and as a citizen had been closely 
identified with every enterprise that had for its object the welfare 
and prosperity of the village. For a long time he had been president 
of the village, and had held other important offices of trust. As a 
public official he discharged his duties faithfully and conscientiously. 
From the Cataract of March 19, 1859, is taken the following notice 
of his funeral : " The funeral of Dr Henry L. Landon, which took place 
in this village on Sunday afternoon last, was one of the largest gather- 
ings of the kind ever witnessed in the village. Besides our citizens, 
who attended eyi masse, there were large numbers of the friends and 
acquaintances of Dr. L. from abroad, together with delegations of the 
masonic fraternity from Waterford, Lansingburg, Troy and Albany. 
An eloquent and impressive discourse was delivered by Rev. C. N. 
Waldron, from Isaiah 38 : 10 : 'I am deprived of the residue of my 
years.' After the services at the church, the body was taken to the 
Waterford cemetery, where the masonic rites were conducted by Past 
Master Geer, of King Solomon's Lodge, assisted by Worshipful Master 
Ball, of Mount Zion's Lodge, Troy." 

March 17, Jacob Upham, aged 53. Mr. U. had been for several 
years an overseer in the Ogden Mills. 

May 3, James Groves, aged 28 

Sept. 11, Henry Lyons, aged 40. 

Sept. 22, John Downs, aged 41. 

Nov. 19, Matthew Fitzpatrick, aged 53. He was one of the oldest 
and most enterprising residents of the 3d ward, and took a leading 
part in local affairs. 



Appendix. 273 

Dec. 4, Owen Sweeney, aged 36. 
Dec. 6, Isaac Fonda, aged 80. 

1860. 

Feb. 12, Stephen P. Van Woert, aged 40. 

August 27, William Penfokl, aged 57. 

Oct. 22, Nathaniel Wilder, aged 71. 

Nov. 1, Jonathan Wightman, aged 69. Mr. Wightman, as a 
member of the firm of Wightman and Youmans, was for some years 
prominently connected with the manufacturing interests of Cohoes, and 
was universally respected. 

Nov. 6, James Maitland, aged about 60. 

Nov. 10, Octavius Cole, aged 50. 

Nov. 14, Aaron L. Ferguson, aged 69. Mr. F., was for many years 
identified with the business interests of Cohoes, as a contractor and 
builder. 

Nov. 20, Jeremiah Houlihan, aged 68. 

Dec. 29, Daniel Simmons, aged 58. Mr. Simmons was one of the 
first to engage in business in Cohoes, and to his industry and enter- 
prise the place is largely indebted for its reputation as a manufacturing 
town. Beginning in a small way the manufacture of axes and edge 
tools in 1885, he, in a few years, succeeded in building up an establish- 
ment which was one of the most important of its kind in the country, 
and in gaining a widespread reputation for energy and ability. The 
main facts in regard to the connection of Mr. S. with the business 
history of Cohoes, have been elsewhere mentioned. 

1861. 

Jan. 1st, John R. Bullock, aged 54. Mr. B. was for many years a 
resident of the village and was frequently selected by his fellow citizens 
to represent them in official positions. 

Jan. 21, Christopher C. Stow, aged 26. 

March 12, Origen Orcutt, aged 64. 

April 20, William H. Mead, aged 31. 

June 13, John Vandercook, aged 30. 

July 3d, Jenks Brown, aged 50. Mr. B. was for several years agent 
of the Ogden Mills, and in 1859 was president of the village. He died 
in Indian Orchard, Mass. 

July — , Jesse D. Van Hagen, aged 22. Mr. V. H. was a member of 
Co. K, 34th N. Y. Vols., and was killed at the battle of Fair Oaks, Va. 

Nov. 14, John Mcintosh, aged 57. 

1862. 

Jan. 22, A. C. By rant, aged 46. Mr. B. was a foreman in D. Sim- 
mons & Co's axe factory and was widely known and respected. 

Feb. 12, William Orelup, Sen., aged 69. Mr. O. had been identified 
with the interests of Cohoes since its settlement and was known as an 
enterprising citizen and a prominent member of the M . E. church. 

Feb. 27, George M. Howes, aged about 32. Mr. H. was for a long 
time the only news dealer in the place. 

March lOtli, Dr. J. H. Tripp, aged 45. 

April — , in West Troy, N. Y. , Supply F. Wilson, for several years a 
justice of the peace in Cohoes and a leading p(jlitician of the town. 

May 31, James Galbraith, killed in battle at Seven Pines, near 
Richmond. 

35 



274 Appendix. 

Aug. 30, Leonard G. Fletcher, aged about 22. This young man was 
a member of Capt. J. L. Yates' Co., 22d Reg't, N. Y. Vols. He was en- 
gaged in the battle before Sharpsburg, Md., and from the fact that no 
tidings were subsequently heard of his fate, it is probable that he there 
lost his life. 

Sept. 4, William Osterhout, aged 44. He was a foreman in D. Sim- 
mons & Co's axe factory, a skillful mechanic and a well known citizen. 

Sept. — , James Young, a private in Capt. Wm. Shannon's company, 
113th Reg't, died in the hospital at Georgetown, D. C. 

Sept. 17, William Orelup, Jr., aged about 45 years. Mr. O. was a 
member of the Board of Education and a director in the Bank of Cohoes 
at the time of his death. During a long residence in Cohoes he held 
many public positions and was much respected as a citizen. 

Sept. — , in England, Dr. Blake, for a few years medical practitioner 
in Cohoes. 

Sept. 19, in Newark, Licking Co., Ohio, Col. George I. Abbott, aged 
about 50. Col. Abbott was one of the earliest citizens of Cohoes and 
a charter member of Cohoes Lodge, F. & A. M. He lis remembered 
as a gentleman of quiet, unobtrusive manners and possessed of those 
genial qualities which render a man a true friend and good citizen. 

Sept. 22, in hospital, at Washington, D. C, William Long of 
bilious fever. Mr. Long was a member of Capt. Wm. Shannon's com- 
pany, 113th Reg't, N. Y. Vols. 

Sept. 29, in hospital at Washington, D. C, Lieut. Hiram Clute, of 
Co. A, 22d Reg't, N. Y. Vols. Lt. Clute was wounded in the foot at 
one of the battles before Manassas. He lay five days upon the battle 
field and his limb was not operated upon until he had been in the 
hospital two days more. An obituary in the Cataract said : " Thus 
ends the career of as brave a soldier and as true a man as ever met 
death upon the battle field. He was idolized by his company and re- 
spected by the regiment to which he belonged, as well as in the com- 
munity in which he has long resided. He leaves a wife and two 
children to mourn his loss." 

Oct. 17, Peter M. Smith, aged 23. Mr. S. was acting village libra- 
rian in 1861. 

Nov. 16, Dea. Maltby Howell, aged 77. 

Nov. 28, William B. Hitchcock, aged 77. 
1863. 

Jan. 5, William Padley, aged 51. 

Feb. 27, John J. Swartz, aged 58. 

Feb. 27, Samuel Maitland, aged 25. 

March 31, Michael Farrelly, aged 79. 

May 8, George E. Van Vliet, aged 24. Mr. V. V. was a member of 
Co. H, 177th Reg't, N. Y. Vols. " He was a young man of great pro- 
mise. He had finished his course of study at Burr Seminary, Man- 
chester, and was about to enter Hamilton College, to prepare for the 
ministry, when he felt it to be his duty to enlist in the service of his 
country." 

July 1, Lemuel Scott, aged 40. 

June 18, killed, at the siege of Port Hudson, John Mc Gaffin, in the 
20tli year of his age. The following concerning Mr. McG. appeared 
in the Cataract : " There are very few of those who have left our vil- 
lage for the scene of conflict, who were so well known and esteemed as 
the subject of this notice. He was a youth of great promise. Hia 



Appendix. 275 

mind was naturally of a studious, inquirinof disposition, which was 
strenfjtliened by intellectual trainincr, and adorned by the graces of 
the Holy Spirit. In the 15th year of his age he made profession of 
his faith in Christ, uniting with the Reformed Dutch church in this 
village, and was soon after led to commence his preparation for preach- 
ing the Gospel. He was a member of the junior class in Rutgers' 
College, when at the call of his country, he bid farewell for a season 
to the endearments of his home and the attractions of his studies, and 
enlisted for nine months as a private in the 177th Reg't, of this state. 
He stood up manfully in the place of honor and peril ; in the forepart 
of the battle he met with a soldier's death, and has found in a far dis- 
tant state, a soldier's grave. His death has made another vacant place 
in the home he loved so well, and has filled with sadness the hearts of 
a large circle of friends he had gathered around him in this community." 
June 16, Robert Taylor, age unknown. He was a member of the 
175th Reg't, N. Y. Vols., and was wounded in the engagement before 
Port Hudson, from the effects of which he died in hospital at Baton 
Rouge. He was a brother of John Taylor of this place. 

July 2, killed, at the battle of Gettysburg, Pa., Lieut. Thomaa 
Walters, of the 97th Reg't, N. Y. Vols. 

July 2, William H. Cranston, aged 26. He enlisted as a private in 
Co. A, 76th N. Y. Vols. , and was killed at the battle of Gettysburg, Pa. 
July 2, Edward Greason, aged 31. He was born at Hyde, Cheshire, 
England, and enlisted from Cohoes in Co. A, 76th N. Y. Vols. He was 
wounded in the battle of Gettysburg, Pa., after which he was missing. 
It is supposed he died on the field and was buried by the enemy. 

July 2, killed at the battle of Gettysburg, Pa., John Wood, John 
Brierly, Louis Toronto, Hugh Loughry, Wesley Brodt and Wesley 
Tompkins, ages unknown. These young men were all members of 
the 76th Reg't, N. Y. Vols. 

July 16, James Durham, aged 30, a member of the 3d Reg't N. Y. 
Vols. 
July 22, John N. Meads, aged 65. 
July 26, Daniel Ball, aged 80. 

July 22, in Nautasket, Mass., William W. Kendrick, , formerly of 
Cohoes, aged 48. Mr. K. was a brother-in-law of Col. Isaac Quack- 
enbush. 

Aug. 4, from wounds received in the battle at Gettysburg, Pa. 
Phih]) Keeler, of the 50th Reg't N. Y. Vols. 

August — , from malaria in the swamps of Bonnet Carre, La., Robt 
W. Frisby and John Flynn, members of the 10th Reg't N. Y. Vols, 
Ages unknown. 

Sept. 3, Jacob A. Tajdor, aged 18. He was a member of Co. H, 177th 
Reg't N. Y. Vols. , and served his country faithfully. He accompanied 
his regiment on its way home until he reached Rochester, N. Y., where 
he was taken sick and died. 

Sept. — , in Mount Pleasant Hospital, near Port Hudson, William H. 
Vandenbergh, aged 23. Mr. V. was the only son of Jacob L. Vanden- 
bergh, of the Boglit. He enlisted in the 177th Reg't N. Y. Vols. A 
correspondent said of him : " In his manner he was unobtrusive, in his 
demeanor amiable and gentle, and possessed, in an eminent degree, 
those characteristics calculated to inspire the love of those who knew 
him. " 



276 Appendix. 

Sept. 28, Abram Lawrence, aged 21. Mr. L. was a son of Geo. 
Lawrence, of this city, and was for many years deputy postmaster. 

Oct. 21, Allen Bordvvell, aged about 45 

Oct. 29, Patrick Malany, aged 28. 

Nov. 17, William Williams, machinist. 

Nov. 23, in Troy, Dennis Stow, for many years a prominent inventor 
and resident of Cohoes, aged 63. 

Nov. 21, Isaac F. Fletcher, aged 65. Mr. F. was one ol the earliest 
residents of the place, a prominent member of Cohoes Lodge, F. & 
A. M., and a conscientious, upright citizen. 

Dec. — , James Harvey, a member of the 128th N. Y. Vols. He had 
served faithfully and honorably in most of the battles of the war, and 
in consequence of failing health was on his return home, where he 
hoped to give his mother and friends a pleasant surprise. He lived to 
enter the harbor of New York, where in sight of his native state, and 
within a few miles of his friends and home, he yielded up his life. 

Dec. 16, Sherman D. Fairbank, aged 50. Mr. F. had been tor many 
years a prominent business man, universally respected for his in- 
tegrity and excellent traits as a citizen. He held several prominent 
positions of responsibility in the village, was a leading member of Co- 
hoes Lodge F. & A. M. and a director of the Bank of Cohoes. 

Dec. 18, in Syracuse, N. Y., Chauncey Stow, one of the original 
founders of the Cataract, aged about 35. 

1864. 

Feb. 17, Capt. William Holley, aged 54. 

Feb. 20, James R. Wilson, aged 18. Mr. W. enlisted from Cohoes 
as a private in Co. H, 115th Reg't N. Y. Vols. , and was killed by a shell 
from a rebel battery in the battle at Olustee, Fla. Lt. Clark wrote of 
him as follows : " The brave young soldier fired his own sixty rounds 
of ammunition and then sought a fresh supply from a dead companion's 
cartridge box. He loaded for the sixty-first time and was about firing 
when the shell exploded that cost him his life." 

Feb. 20, Oscar L. Ackley, age unknown. Mr. A. was a member of 
the 115th Reg't N. Y. Vols, and was killed at the battle of Olustee, 
Fla. 

March 10, Edward O'Reilly, aged 48. He was an upright citizen 
and conscientious business man and was frequently called upon to 
represent his ward in public positions. 

March 11, in Halfmoon, N. Y., John Oliver, aged 52. 

March 28, Edward H. Owen, aged 49. 

March 31, Charles Green, soldier, aged about 23. 

March 26, Willie H. Howard, aued 21. 

April 27, L. Sprague Parsons, aged 55. " Mr. Parsons commenced 
his preparatory studies in Hamden, Ct., which were afterwards com- 
pleted in Troy, N. Y. He entered Yale College in the class of 1835, 
but did not 'graduate until 1837, having devoted one year to teaching 
in Bristol, Ct. After graduation he taught for a short time in Norfolk 
Co., Va., but was obliged to return home on account of ill health. 
After teaching another year in Bristol, Ct., he moved to Albany, N. Y., 
in 1889, where with his sister he established a select family school. 
He was also at the same time principal of the Pearl street Academy 
for boys, in the same ciiy. In 1845, he was chosen principal of the 
Albany Female Academy, the duties of which he discharged with suc- 
cess until 1855, when he resigned his office. In the same year he 



Appendix. 277 

engaged in manufacturing in Colioes, where he remained until his 
death." 

April 22, in Fort Warren, Boston Harbor, James McCarthy and 
Matthew Riley, of Cohoes, N. Y. Both were young men. 

April 18, Herbert Hastings, aged about 30. Mr. Hastings was a 
member of the 7tli N. Y. Heavy Artillery and died very suddenly in 
camp from heart disease. He had been a resident of C(jlioes from his 
boyhood and for many years previous to his enlistment was the' lead- 
ing dentist of the place. Of a genial, generous disposition, he had 
troops of friends who sincerely mourned his early death. 

May 5, George Diehl, age unknown, a member of the 77tb N. Y. 
Vols., was killed in one of the battles of the Wilderness. 

May 10, killed while on picket duty, John McCarthy, aged 17. 

May 25, William Noonan, aged 40. 

June 2, Simon O'Dea and Tliomas Eastham, members of Battery I, 
7th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, both brave and faithful soldiers, were killed 
in one of the battles of the Wilderness, ages unknown. 

June, — James Cole, who faithfully served in all the principal battles 
of the war, on the peninsula, at Gettysburg and the Wilderness, fell 
in one of the later eugrtgements. Age unknown. 

June 10, Joseph Wickham, aged 39. Mr. Wickham was a member 
of the 118th Keg't, N. Y. Vols., and was wounded in the shoulder at 
Bermuda Hundreds, May 16, from the elFects of which he died. 

June 19, Henry O. Osterhout, aged 17. Enlisted as a private in Co. 
H, 177th Reg't N. Y. Vols., and was with the army at the siege of 
Port Hudson. He returned home with his regiment in Se])tember, 
1863, and died from sickness contracted in the service. 

July 9, Daniel D. Tuthill, aged 47. Enlisted as a private in Co. 1, 7th 
Reg't N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and was afterward promoted to the rank of 
sergeant. He was wounded in the engagement at North Anna Bridge, 
Va., on May 30th, 1864, and died in the hospital at Washington. Mr. 
T., was the father-in-law of Ca])t. William Shannon, now of Pittsburg, 
Pa., and A. H. Frink, of this city. 

July — , Charles Westover, aged 20, a member of the 4th Reg't N. Y. 
Heavy Artillery, died in hospital at Staten Island. 

July 13, George Shipley, aged 43. Mr. S. was a member of Co. I, 
7th Heavy Artillery, and died on board the U. S. transport Atlantic, 
from disease contracted while in the service. His remains were interred 
in Cypress Hill cemetery, L. I., July 14. 

July 22, Sergeant Major E. Raymond Fonda, aged 27. Was a mem- 
ber of the 115th Reg't N. Y. Vols. He was severely wounded May 7th, 
in one of the battles near Petersburg, Va., from the effects of whiJi 
he died in the Lady's Home Hospital, New York. 

July 29, in Troy, N. Y., John Kerr, aged 62. Mr. Kerr was for 
Heveral years previous to his death prominently connected with manu- 
facturing interests in Cohoes. 

Aug. 1, William G. Caw, aged 48. Mr. Caw came to Cohoes in 
1846, and formed a partnership with Isaac Quackenbush, with whom 
he continued in the grocery business until his death. He was a town 
fiU])ervisor from 1858 to 1 861 , trustee of the village, water commissioner, 
director of the Bank of Cohoes, and filled other i)ublic positions of re- 
syjonsibility, in all of which the peo])le were faithfully served. In his 
business relations he was honorable and conscientious, and as a citizen 
he was enterprising and public spirited. A friend wrote of his death 



278 Appendix. 

as follows : " The death of William G. Caw makes a great gap in our 
community. Let it be filled by the renewed devotion of otliers to 
those interests to which he gave so freely of his time and his attention, 
and if the cry of the poor and the needy, the fatlierlessand the widow, 
the demands of our country and its brave defenders, the churcli of 
Christ, and its overshadowing claims can reach the hearts more for- 
cibly through the remembrance of his character as a business man, a 
citizen, a politician, a ])atriot, a philanthropist and a Christian, then 
indeed, will he, being dead, yet speak to us ; and of tlie recdllections 
that cluster around his name, it mny be truly said, " the memory of 
the just is precious." 

July 18, Nathan Stone, aged 76. Mr. Stone was one of the earliest 
residents of the place. 

Aug. 17, Alfred Phelps, aged about 70. Mr. Phelps was for many 
years the proprietor of the " old junction" tavern, and had served the 
people as justice of the ])ea"ce, and village trustee. 

Aug. 11, Peter Forbes, aged 44. Mr. Forbes was for a long time 
foreman in Fuller and Safety's iron found ery. 

Aug. 16, Abbott C. Musgrove, aged 10. Mr. Musgrove was a mem- 
ber of the 115th Reg't N. Y. Vols., and by his bravery, correct deport- 
ment and sterling integrity won the esteem of his comrades and left 
a record that proved hiux a patriot and heroic soldier. He was killed 
in tlie battle at Deep Bottom, Va. 

Aug. 16, James K. Himes, aged 18. He was a member of the 115th 
Reg't N. T. Vols., and fell in the battle at Deep Bottom, Va. , whilo 
bearing the colors of the regiment. He was distingtiished for his 
heroic conduct in times of greatest peril, and was beloved by all who 
knew him. 

Sept. 18, Thomas Gooch, son-in-law of John Land, died in St. John's 
Hospital, Annapolis, Md., from the eflFects of wounds received in the 
battle at Ream's Station. He was a member of the 7th Reg't, N. Y. 
Heavy Artillery. 

Oct. 2, Edward Bullock, aged 21. 

Oct. 6, Stephen Slocum, aged about 60. Mr. S. was for many years 
deacon in the Baptist society of the village, and acted as the first super- 
intendent of the Harmony Union Sunday school. 

Oct. 12, Adam Turner, aged 41, was born in Castlereagh, Ireland, 
March 12, 1823. He removed to this country in 1850. He enlisted 
from Cohoes as a private in Co. I, 4th Reg't N. Y. Heavy Artillery, 
and died from disease contracted by exposure and fatigue with the 
army before Richmond. 

Oct. — , in Andersonville prison, John Greer and John Ebah. 

Oct. 21, John Trull, a veteran of the war of 1812 and father of Stevens 
V. and Samuel D. Trull of this city, aged 71. 

Nov. 6, James K. Stevens, aged 20. He enlisted in Co. H, 4th Reg't, 
N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and died in the hospital at Annapolis, Md., 
from sickness contracted in Richmond prison. He was a son of John 
Stevens of this city. 

Nov. 10, Charles T. Cannon, son of Tracy Cannon, aged 33. 

Nov. 28, in McClellan Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa., Robert Gormley, 
a member of the 7th Reg't, N. Y. Heavy Artillery. 

Nov. 26, in rebel prisons, John Welch and J. Mangham. Particulars 
unknown. 



Appendix. 279 

1865. 

Feb. 3, Lt. John C. Carroll, aged 23. Lt. C. belonged to Co. M, 
6tli N. Y. Cavalry, and was killed uoar Lovellville, Va. 

March 38, John Vandermark, ajjed 55. Mr. V. was one of the most 
widely known citizens and belong'ed to one of the oldest families in 
the town. He had occupied various public positions, was for a time 
engaged in manufacturing, and immediately preceding his death was 
proprietor of the Rock Hotel, on the corner of Mohawk and Howard 
streets. 

May 7, at Chicago, HI., Patrick O'Brien, son of Lawrence O'Brien, 
aged 29. 

July 6, Nicholas D. Lounsbury, aged 57. Mr. L. was a member of 
the 80th Reg't, N. Y. Vols. 

Sept. 17, Wm. B. Jackson, a member of the 91st Reg't, N. Y. Vols., 
aged about 45. 

Oct. 7, C. F. Ingraham, aged about 42. Mr. Ingraham was for many 
years principal of the Depot school and superintendent of the Baptist 
Sunday school. 

Oct. 21, Levinus S. Lansing, aged 85. Mr. L. was one of the oldest 
representatives of the Lansing family, and resided most of his life in 
the old homestead between this place and West Troy. 

Dec. 15, Patrick Neary, aged 26. 

Dec. 21, Abram D. Clute, aged 41. 

1866. 

Jan. 14, John RafFerty, age unknown. He was a member of the 
91st Reg't, N. Y. Vols., and his death was occasioned by disease con 
tracted while in the service. 

March 1, John Hay, aged 76. Mr. H, was a native of Scotland and 
emigrated to Cohoes in 1836, remaining a resident until his death. 
He left a family of ten children, fifty grandchildren and three great 
grand children. John, James, Charles and Alex. Hay of this place are 
his sons. 

March 31, Peter Manton. At the lime of his death Mr. Manion was 
deputy sheriff and chief engineer of the fire department. 

April 19, in Albany, A. E. Stimson, aged 57. Mr. Stimson occupied 
for some years a prominent position among Cohoes manufacturers, hav- 
ing organized the Clifton Co., in which he held the controlling interest. 

May 2, James R. Dickey, aged 22. Mr. Dickey was a printer who 
served liis apprenticeship in the office of the Cataract. 

May 10, L. G. Forrester, for several years book-keeper at the Har 
mony Mills, aged about 45. 

May 14, George Shires, proprietor of the Miller House, aged 46. 

May 14, James Horner, aged 42. 

May 28, Edward Packard, aged 38. 

June 1st, Lt. Francis Keating, aged 32. Lt. K. was one of the first 
volunteers from Cohoes and served his country faithfully and honorably. 

Aug. 22, Wm. F. Carter, M.D., aged 54. Dr. Carter was born in 
Newburyport, Mass., and was educated at tlie old academy of that 
place. Owing to his father's reverses of fortune by losses at sea, 
during the war of 1815, and afterwards, his (education was not con- 
tinued as it would otherwise have been, and at 14 years of age he was 
apprenticed in the drug store of Dr. David Kimball, of Portsmouth, 
N. H., where he acquired a thorough knowledge of that business. He 



280 Appendix. 

tlien became acquainted with Dr. Timothy Upham, who was about 
removing to Waterford, N. Y. , and who being interested in the smart, 
quick-witted boy, invited hin\ to study medicine witli him. The invi- 
tation was accepted but not until after tlie young man had spent some 
months in tlie study of Latin. He remained witu Dr. Upliam one year 
and afterward attended medical lectures in Boston, going {'nnn there 
to Dartmouth College where he finished his course and received his 
diploma in 1884. He commenced practice at Hagaman's Mills, Mont- 
gomery Co., but not receiving sufficient encouragement there, he re- 
moved to Cohoes, in 1835, where he remained in practice of his 
profession until his death. He was eccentric in manner, and brusque 
in address but possessed a most tender and sympathetic disposition 
which was manifested in kindly and cliaritable acts toward those who 
were worthy. He was a director in the Bank of Cohoes, and trustee 
of the Savings Institution and had represented his fellow citizens in 
local affairs on many occasions. 

Dec. 9, John Eastwood, Jr., aged 23. Mr. E. was a member of the 
22d Reg't N. Y. Vols., and served his country honorably during the 
war. He was wounded in one of the battles of Virginia and while in 
the service contracted the disease from which he died. 

Dec. 21, Alexander Bell, aged 89. 

1867. 

Jan. 2, William Buchanan, aged 44. 

Jan. 28, Michael H. Johnson, aged 28. Mr. Johnson enlisted in the 
U. S. Navy about 1860, and served on board the flag ship Sabine. On 
an expedition to Paraguay he was sunstruck, from the effects of which 
he never recovered. 

Feb. 25, John Partridge, aged 48, well known as the proprietor for 
many years of the Cataract House. 

Feb. 27, Edward Ayres, aged 40. 

July 7tli, in Montreal, Ca., Gideon Longley, aged 54. Mr. Longley 
was born in Tenterden, Kent, England, Dec. 21st, 1813, and came to 
this country in the spring of 1826, locating in Watervliet. He was 
one of the earliest members of the M. E. church of Coiioes. 

Sept. 21, Abraham L. Smith, a young merchant of the place, aged 30. 

Sept. 30, Philip L. Clow, aged 51. 

Oct. 16, in New York, Thomas Garner, aged 62. Mr. G. was the 
principal owner of the Harmony Mills. His connection with this es- 
tablishment is spoken of elsewhere in this volume. 

Nov. 7, Oscar 0. Finney, aged 33. Mr. Finney was a leading mem- 
ber of the Masonic Fraternity and for several years was proprietor of 
the Cohoes Hotel. 

Dec. 8, Abraham Lansing, aged 74. Mr. Lansing was one of the 
oldest inhabitants of Cohoes. The following is an extract from an 
obituary notice published in the Cataract : " A man of an amiable dis- 
position, of the strictest integrity, of a fine and unblemished character, 
gathering around him the respect and attachment of all who knew 
him. Beloved in the family, honored as an upright citizen in our com- 
munity, and in the Reformed church an elder who " ruled well and 
was counted worthy of double honor." In a good old age, after a long 
life of Christian usefulness, he has fallen asleep." 

Dec. 10, Edward Brennan, aged about 25. Mr. B. was collector of 
the village. 

Dec. 21, Edward Twelvetrees, aged 17. 



Appendix. 281 

1868. 

Jan. 27, John Page, aged 22. 

Feb. 4, Charles L. Hubbell, aged about 45. Mr. H. was for manj 
years one of the heading mechanics of Cohoes. 

Feb. 24, in Flint, Mich., Isaac S. Carter, aged 28. Mr. C. was a son 
of Thomas C. Carter of Cohoes. 

March 26, Alonzo J. M. Mc Kee, aged 23. 

April 11, Bernard O'Neil, aged 46. 

April 18, William Sullivan, aged 32. 

May 15, Col. Dow Fonda, aged 92. Col. F. was one of the oldest 
residents of the place. 

May 28, John Clark, aged 25. 

July 6, Louis Valley, aged 54. 

Aug. 2, Rev. A. Judson Bingham, aged about 40. Mr. B. came to 
Cohoes in March, 1865, in response to a call to become the pastor of 
the Baptist church. He resigned his charge in Feb., 1867, to accept 
the position of principal of Egberts Institute, in which he continued 
until his death. As a pastor and teacher he was greatly beloved. He 
left a wife and three children. 

Aug. 3, Daniel Scully, aged 68. 

Aug. 17, in Quincy, 111., Joseph Atwood, formerly a resident of 
Cohoes. 

Aug. 23, James Ryan, aged 47. 

Sept. 25, Michael Monalion, tiged 28. 

Sept. 26, Col. Jacob W. Miller, aged 58. Col. Miller was born 
August, 1810, in Schaghticoke, Reus. Co., N. Y. , and commenced teach- 
ing school in his native town when he was 17 years of age. Rev. 
Ensign Stover, at one time pastor of the M. E. church of Cohoes, and 
his brother, the late Samuel Stover, Esq., of West Troy, were pupils 
of his at that time. He afterwards taught school in Halfmoon, N. Y., 
until his marriage, when he embarked in mercantile pursuits at Vis- 
Bcher's Ferry, Saratoga Co., N. Y., remaining there until the death of 
his first wife. He then entered the office of Judge Doe at Waterford 
in the same county, as a law student. Hon. John K. Porter was a 
student in the office at the same time, and both were admitted to the 
bar in 1842. It was at this time he married his second wife. In 1844, 
he came to Cohoes and commenced the practice of law, whi-h he con- 
tinued up to the time of his death. His first partner was John Van 
Santvoord, Esq. , of New York city, the partnership continuing until 
the latter left the place in 1852. From this time he continued busi- 
ness alone until December, 1864, when Charles F. Doyle, Esq., a 
former student, became associated with him. He held many public 
positions in which he acquitted himself honorably and satisfactorily to 
his constituents. In 1848, with Mr. Van Santvoord he built the 
Miller and Van Santvoord Block now owned by H. B. Silliinan, and 
in 1862 erected the Miller House Block, now owned by Frank Brown. 

Oct. 8, Samuel H. Foster, aged 52. Mr. Foster was born in Rensse- 
laerville, Albany Co., N. Y., where he resided until his eighteenth 
year, when he entered Williams College, from wliich he graduated 
after completing bis course with honor. After teaching for a time, he 
commenced the study of law in the office of Jonathan Jenkins, at 
Rensselaerville, N. Y., and was admitted to practice in 1841. He came 
to Cohoes in 1846, and formed a co-partnership with Stephen C. Miller 

36 



282 Appendix. 

Esq., a young lawyer of ability and promise. Mr. F., at once took a 
leading position as a lawyer, wliicli he retained until his death. In 
1856, he was the candidate of the American party for district attorney 
of Albany Co., but owing to loss of prestige by that organization, he 
was defeated. He afterward served the people as a member of the 
Board of Education, and in 1866, was chosen cliairman of that body, in 
which position he gave most valuable service to the cause of education. 
Nov. 2, Joseph A. Simons, aged 49. Mr. Simons was for many years 
identified with the business interests of Cohoes, as proprietor of the 
Cohoes and Troy Stage Line, and as a merchant on West Harmony 
Hill. He was a leading member of Cohoes Lodge, F. & A. M., and 
enjoyed the esteem of his fellow citizens in a large degree. 

1869. 

Jan. 12, John W. Visscher, aged 1 6. 

Feb. 1, VN illard A. Bayard, aged 27. Mr. B. was a soldier in the 
Union army, where he contracted the disease which resulted in his 
death. 

Feb. 8, Edward Knight, aged 26. 

Feb. 22, A. F. Safely, M.D., aged 40. Dr. S., was abrother of Robert 
Safely. He was born in Scotland, and came with his parents to 
Waterford, N. Y., at an early age. He studied medicine in the Albany 
Medical College, and graduated in 1852. At the breaking out of the 
rebellion he enlisted in the 10th N. Y. Vols., and served with it until 
he was honorably discharged in consequence of wounds received at the 
2d battle of Bull Run, from the effects of which he never thoroughly 
recovered. 

March 31, in New York, Thomas Garner, Jr., aged 30. He was for 
some years connected with the Harmony Co., but retired three years be- 
fore his death, in conseqi^ence of ill health. 

March 27, Egbert Egberts, aged 78. Mr. Egberts was born at Coey- 
mans, Albany Co., N. Y., where his father, Anthony Egberts, who was 
an olEcer in the revolutionary army, settled at the close of the war. 
In 1812, he engaged in mercantile business in Albany, with his brother 
Cornelius, under the firm name of C. and E. Egberts. In 1831, he re- 
moved to Cohoes, where he, with Timothy Bailey, first successfully 
introduced the power knitting frame, and established an extensive 
manufactory. In 1852, he retired from active business, with a com- 
petency which he always used in a spirit of Christian liberality. In 
that year he was the candidate of the Wlug partj'' for congress. In 
1858, he organized tlie bank of Cohoes, and was chosen its president, 
which ofiice he retained until his death. The "Egberts Institute," 
received from him an endowment of $20,000, and the Reformed church 
of Cohoes, of which he was a member, is indebted in a great measure 
to his taste and liberality for their beautiful house of worship. He 
was a friend of the poor, and for every good cause he had an open 
heart and hand. 

March 30, A. D. Shepherd, aged about 60. Mr. Shepherd was for 
many years the proprietor of the extensive flouring mills on the north 
Bide of the Mohawk river, known as the Shattemuck Mills. 

March 31, in Albany, William Smith, one of the firm of Smith, 
Gregory & Co. of the American Hosiery Mills of Cohoes. 

April 4, John Horan, aged 55. 

April 5, at Wappinger's Falls, N. Y., Newton Fowler, aged 23. 

April 13, Joseph Atheson, aged 37. 



Appendix. 283 

April 15, John W. Vandenburffh, aged 30. 

May 19, Jerome Sanders, aged 46. Mr. S. was for many years a 
member of the official board of the M. E. church. 

May 20, William Whitehill, aged 84. 

June 1, Henry Ash worth, aged 55. 

June 14, John Hai'rison, aged 85. Mr. Harrison was born in Ire- 
land and came to America in 1851. He had been a consistent member 
of the M. E. church for 68 years. 

June 18, Charles L. Benson, aged 36. 

July 28, Dr. Ira B. Rose, aged 67. 

Aug. 12, John Robertson, aged 81 . 

Sept. 18, Halsey R. Grant, aged 44. Mr. Grant had for eighteen 
years previous to his death been prominently connected with the busi- 
ness interests of Cohoes, as a merchant and public official. He 
frequently represented his fellow citizens in the board of village trus- 
tees, and in the board of education where his conscientious discharge 
of public duties elicited the commendation, and commanded the confi- 
dence of the people whom he so faithfully served. He had been for 
many years superintendent of tlie water works, a trustee of the Cohoes 
Savings Institution, and an influential member of Cohoes Lodge, F. 
&A. M. 

Oct. 24, John Lyons, aged 57. Mr. Lyons had resided in Cohoes 
for many years and was known as a conscientious upright citizen. He 
frequently represented his fellow citizens as village trustee and in 
other responsible positions. 

Oct. 30, Charles W. Orelup, aged 30. 

Oct. 31, at Pulaski, Oswego Co., N. Y., Stephen C. Miller, Esq., 
aged 47. Mr. Miller was born in Westerlo, Albany Co.,N. Y., Feb. 
18tli 1828. He prepared for college in the Albany Academy and in the 
fall of 1843 entered the junior class of Union College and graduated 
in 1845. After graduation he was engaged as a teacher in Kingsley's 
classical and mathematical military school at West Point, where he 
remained a year and a half. He then entered upon the study of the 
law in the office of the late Rufus W. Peckham of Albany, and after 
finishing his course was admitted to practice in the supreme court. 
Forming a partnership with the late Samuel H. Foster, Esq., he com- 
menced the practice of his profession, and at the same time was co- 
editor and proprietor with Horace B. Silliman of the Cohoes Cataract. 
In 1851 he was married to Miss Margaret Wilkinson and about the 
same time discontinued his law practice and forming a partnership with 
his father-in-law, Samuel Wilkinson, opened a store where the Empire 
Mill now stands. This enterprise proving unsuccessful he accepted 
the position of principal of the Pulaski Academy, which he occupied 
for three years. He then purchased the office of the Pulaski Democrat, 
and continued the publication of the paper until his death. 

Nov. 17, William Ferguson, aged 55. 

Dec. 19, Rev. L. H. Saugon, aged 53. Mr. Saugon was the first 
pastor of St. Joseph's French Catholic cliurcli of the village and had 
presided over his ciiarge but a little more than a year at the time of 
his death. He was indefatigable in labor for the good of his congrega- 
tion, by whom he was universally beloved. He was accomplished as 
a scholar, an eloquent speaker and devotedly attached to his church. 
Dec. 12, John E. Damon, aged 29. 



284 Appendix. 

1870. 

Jan. 17, James Lackin, aged 71. Mr. L. was one of the oldest 
residents of the 3d ward. 

Jan. 15, Thomas C'rossley, aged about 40. 

Jan. 20, William Nugent, aged 17. 

March 26, Joseph Biscoruette, aged about 45. Mr. B. was well 
known as the proprietor of the Union Hotel, on Oneida street. 

April 14, Thomas Rvan, aged about 55. 

April 30, John Campbell, aged 37. 

May 11, Ebenezer Benson, aged 77. 

June 24, Dr. Alfred Wands, aged 48. Dr. Wands was an old resi- 
dent of Cohoes and occupied a prominent position as a citizen and phy- 
sician. He had on several occasions re])resented his fellow citizens in 
local affairs, and in every trust proved himself capable and upright. 

July 19, George Grass, aged 'jQ. 

Aug. 7, Ira Terry, aged 64. Mr. Terry was for many years the 
leading druggist of the place, and had occupied a prominent position 
as a conscientious business man. 

Aug. 24, in Watervliet Center, Albany Co., N. Y. Gilbert I. Van 
Zandt, aged 77. Fcr a long period Mr. Van Zandt had represented the 
town of Watervliet in the Board of Supervisors and held other posi- 
tions of trust and responsibility, in which he served his constituents 
capably and honorably. 

Oct. 6, Hon. Hugh White, aged 72. Hugh White was born in 
Whitestown, N. Y. , in December, 1798. His early days were passed 
upon his father's farm. In 1819, as he approached his majority, he 
commenced a course of study, |>reparatory to entering Hamilton College, 
from which institution he graduated in 1823. On leaving college he 
went to New York and devoted himself to the law. He was admitted 
to the bar after a course of study in the office of Col. Chas. G. Haines, 
but his tastes inclining him more towards commercial life, he embraced 
an opportunity then offered him by his brother Canvass, of engaging 
in business. Canvass White had perfected a method of manufacturing 
an hydraulic cement which was largely used in the construction of the 
Erie Canal, and had established his works at Chittenango. His brother 
took charge of these works, and in this occupation he remained for some 
years, there first manifesting the business ability and sagacity which 
were his prominent traits in after life. In April, 1830, Mr. White came 
to Cohoes to take the place of his brother (who was extensively occu- 
pied elsewhere), in managing the aflFairs of the Cohoes Co. Under hia 
supervision the earliest important works of the company were com- 
pleted. He directed the building of the first dams in '31 and '32, and 
the construction of the first canal in 1834. He was engaged at the 
same time in several minor enterprises, which served to occupy his 
time in the intervals of attention to more important duties. Among 
these were a saw mill on Harmony Hill, in Cohoes, a flour mill, and 
mill on the Waterford side of the river in which the manufacture of 
the cement above referred to was continued. In 1836, Mr. White be- 
came interested in the company which built the first Harmony Mill, and 
its affairs received his attention for some time. Mr. White represented 
the Saratoga district iu congress for three terms, from 1845 to 1851, and 
though not prominent as a debater, was a most faithful an-i hard 
working member, and performed important services on the committees 
to which he was assigned. Soon after, Mr. White retired from active 



Appendix. 285 

business, though retaining an interest in a number of business enter- 
prises. At the time of his death he was president of the Saratoga Co. 
Nat. B'k, with which institution he had long been connected. Mr. 
White's declining years were passed in the retirement of his home in 
Waterford, in tlie enjoyment of the ample fortune which he had 
amassed. Of his character, the Cohoes Cataract, in an article on his 
death, spoke as follows : " He was essentially an executive man ; what 
he undertook, he always accomplished, for he was a man of strong 
i ndomitable will ; he was generous and large hearted in all his dealings, 
and many a young man has been started on in the world by his kind- 
ness and his means." 

Oct. 17, Joseph E. Ballard, aged 33. 

Oct. 31, Dr. Joseph Varin, aged about 55. 

Oct. 31, Wilham Gledhill, aged 70. 

Nov. 8, John Clark, Jr., aged 31. Mr. Clark had entered the Ro- 
chester Theological Seminary, with a view to preparing for the ministry. 
His pure life and genial disposition had endeared him to many friends, 
and his early death cast a gloom over a large circle. 

Nov. 4, Francis Way, aged GO. 

Nov. 13, Hiram Chubb, aged 37. 

Nov. 17, John Drysdale, aged 71. Mr. D. had been a resident of 
Cohoes for many years, and was known as an upright, conscientious 
citizen. 

Dec. 7, George Hudson, aged 19. 

Dec. 38, Michael Ryan, aged 50. 

1871. 

Jan. 14, Daniel Keeler, aged 40. 

Jan. 80, John Foreman, aged 39. 

Jan. 31, Robert Maitland, aged 35. 

Feb. 87, James Whalen, aged 67. 

Feb. 35, Henry Lyons, aged 81. 

March 30, Joseph Moore, aged 63. Mr. Moore was for several years 
a merchant in Troy, but for some time previous to his death resided 
with his son Dr. J. W. Moore, of this city. 

March 37, Adam Vanderwerkeu, aged 69. 

April 35, Lt. William Buchanan, aged 45. Mr. Buchanan went out 
as a lieutenant in Capt. Trull's company 30th N. Y. Vols., in October, 
1863, and participated with it in the battles of Fredericksburg and 
Chancellorsville. On the return of that regiment he was transferred 
to the 76th Reg't, N. Y. Vols. After passing through the battle of 
Gettysburg and several engagements of less note, he was taken pri- 
soner at one of the battles of the Wilderness and sent to Anderson ville 
prison, where he remained nearly a year. While being removed with 
other prisoners to a more secure prison he escaped from the cars, and 
reaching our lines at Knoxville, Tenn., was soon transferred to W'ash- 
ington and discharged. He was one of the first officers appointed 
under the capital police system and served as ca])tain until he resigned 
to go into business. 

June 5, William Waterhouse, aged 57. 

July 34, Michael Latta, aged 68. 

July 36, William Green, aged 19. 

Aug. 13, William Ballantyne, aged 65. 

Aug. 14, Patrick Griffin, aged 87. 



286 Appendix, 

Sept. 15, John Russell, aged 24. 

Sept. 16, James Wallace, aged 35. 

Oct. 30, in Little Eock, Ark., George W. Upham, aged 38. 

Nov. 4, in San^Francisco, Cal., Joseph Almy, aged 36. 

Dec. 2, George W. Hutchins, aged 58. 

1872. 

Jan. 16, Daniel Whalen, aged 22. 

Jan. 18, John Forbes, aged 47. 

Jan. 26, James DriscoU, aged 42. 

Jan. 27, John C. Mahon, aged 24. 

Jan. 29, Michael Lynch, aged 45. Mr. Lynch had been a resident 
of the 3d ward 25 years and ranked among the leading business men 
of that part of the place. 

Jan. 29, David McLuckey, aged 56. 

Jan. 29, John Langtree, aged 37. 

March 5, John Ward, aged 83. 

March 10, Barent C. Schemerhorn, aged 68, father of the Schemer- 
horn brothers, dentists, of this city. 

March 13, Joseph Phillips, aged 65. Mr. Phillips was formerly a 
business partner of A. A. Osterhout under the firm name of Osterhout 
& Phillips ; subsequently he did business alone as a grocer in Granite 
Hall and latterly in company with W. A. McMillan at the corner of 
Remsen and White streets. 

April 1, John P. Steenberg, aged 69. Mr. Steenberg was one of the 
oldest business men in Cohoes, his store and house on the corner of 
Remsen and While streets being among the first buildings erected in 
that part of the city. For many years, in addition to his business in 
that place, he pursued his profession of engineer and surveyor, and in 
that capacity was prominently connected with many of the earliest 
improvements of Cohoes. 

April 24, Ezra J. Wheeler, aged 48. 

May 1st, Archibald McLean, of the firm of W. D. & A. McLean, 
aged 32. He was a designer of patterns for shawls in the establish- 
ment of Roy & Co., West*Troy. Although not a rt-sident of Cohoes, 
yet through his business relations with his brother, the citizens es- 
teemed and respected him as one of their own number and his unex- 
pected decease cast a gloom over the entire community. 

May 11, James Henthorn, aged about 45. 

May 31, Henry Cahill, a prominent and intiuential resident of the 
3d ward, aged 40. 

June 17, Paul Schmidt, aged 71. 

July 16, John Daley, a member of Howarth Engine Co., died from 
the effects of injuries received while attending a fire at the Clifton Mill. 

July 31, William J. Wheeler, aged 50. Mr. Wheeler was a leading 
democratic politician and business man of the town of Watervliet. He 
served one term as member of the legislature, five years in the board 
of supervisors of which body he was chairman four years. In 1870-1, 
he was superintendent of section No. 1, Erie Canal and occupied other 
positions of trust and responsibility. 

Aug. 9, Daniel Simpson, aged about 45. He was foreman of the 
Harmony Manufacturing Co's carpenter shop, a member of the board 
of education, of the Johnston Steamer Co. , Alden Hose Co. , and various 
maBonic organizations. 



Appendix. 287 

August 21, Henry En Earl, aged 86. Mr. En Earl was one of the 
oldest residents of the city, having moved here from Troy in 1824. He 
took an active interest in the progress of the place, and in its early 
days occupied a number of responsible positions in the local govern- 
ment. 

Sept. 2;J, Hezekiah Howe, aged 89. Mi*. Howe, the fifth of a family 
often children, was born July 9, 1783, in Killingly, Conn., where his 
family had resided since 1709. His early years were passed in his 
native place, and there he obtained his first experience of business 
life. After ids marriage with Miss Lydia Wilkinson, he removed to 
Pawtucket, R. I., and engaged in business with his brother-in-law 
David Wilkinson. The firm occupied a prominent position among the 
manufacturers of the state, and were very successful. At a later period 
they established a flourishing business at Wilkinsonville, Conn., but 
in the financial troubles of 1829 their losses were heavy, and they 
were compelled to discontinue. When Mr. Wilkinson, as elsewhere 
stated, was prevailed upon to come to Cohoes Mr. Howe decided to 
accompany him, although every inducement was offered him by his 
friends to remain in the east, and arrived here May 1, 1831. Here he 
continued to reside until within a few years of his death. From the 
history of his connection with Cohoes in its early days, as related else- 
where, it will be seen that he had a most important part in shaping 
the fortunes of the place, and was prominent among those who estab- 
lished here, in spite of drawbacks and reverses, the foundations of a 
large and prosperous city. Mr. Howe had contracts for the construc- 
tion of the first canals of the Cohoes Co. ; he was also engaged in gene- 
ral business here at different times and for over twenty years, was 
postmaster of the village. He was ever an active Christian, and was 
one of the founders of the first Episcopal church built in Pawtucket, 
and later of St. John's church of Cohoes. His firm integrity of char- 
acter, and gentle kindliness of manner, endeared him to a large circle 
of friends, and his loss was deeply felt. 

Dec. 19, iu Lansingburg, N. Y. , Isaac D. Ayres, one of the originators 
and founders of the Cohoes Advertiser iu 1847, and the Newark Mer- 
cury. The latter years of his lite were spent as publisher of the Lan- 
singburg Gazette. 

1873. 

Jan. 10, Dr. J. B. Forrest, aged about 45. 

Jan. 12, John O'Neil, aged 79. 

Jan. Ifl, Benjamin M. Alexander, aged 26. 

Jan. 19, Hugh Thompson, aged 69. Mr. Thompson came to Cohoes 
in 1846, and entered into the employ of the Ogden Mills. He after- 
ward established a grocery store on the corner of Remsen and Factory 
streets, where he continued business until his death. His was the 
oldest establishment of the kind in the city. 

March 8, Wright Mallery, aged 67. Mr. Mallery was one of the 
early settlers, having removed from West Troy to this place nearly 
forty years ago. He was widely known and respected. 

March 18, N. B. Davis, aged 73. 

March 15, Michael J. Collins, aged 27. 

March 17, Walter Wilbeck.aged 52. Mr. Witbeck came to Cohoes 
with Daniel Simmons iu 1835. He entered the axe factory as overseer 
of the polishing department, and retained that position in the estab- 
lishment until his death, a period of over thirty-eight years. Mr. Wit- 



288 Appendix. 

beck was one of our best known and most respected citizens. He waa 
closely identified with the growth of Cohoes, and had occupied a num 
ber of positions of respousibiiity in local affairs. 

March 22, Henry Schroeder, aged 49. 

April 18, John W. Mills, aged 24. 

May 12, James Hayden, aged 60. 

June 7, Robert Meikleham, for a long time chief book-keeper in the 
establishment of D. Simmons & Co., aged 62. 

June 15, James Brown, aged 39. 

July 4, Charles H. Van Schaick, aged 64. 

July 18, Francois X. Lauzon, aged 59. 

Aug. 11, Rev. John Fitzpatrick, aged 26. " Few young men of our 
city have commenced life with greater promise than the subject of 
this notice. Possessing a high order of talent, a peculiarly amiable 
disposition, and having enjoyed superior educational advantages, he 
was prepared, at a very early age, to enter upon the active duties of 
his profession with a bright prospect of usefulness and distinction. He 
had, however, but just commenced the third year of his ministry at 
Pompey, Onondaga Co., N. Y., when he was stricken down by dis- 
ease. His remains were brought to Cohoes for interment, and deeply 
impressive ceremonies were observed in St. Bernard's, which were 
attended by a large concourse of the clergy and our citizens." 

Aug. 12, Absalom Sharp, aged about 44. 

Aug. 13, John Coakley, aged 66. 

Aug. 25, Edward Magee, aged 45. 

Aug. 27, Bernard McClarey, aged 60. 

Aug. 27, Patrick H. Ross, aged 48. Mr. Ross occupied a leading 
position among the musicians of the place during a long residence in 
Cohoes. For much of the time he was leader of a band and chorister 
and organist at St. Bernard's church. 

Sept. 20, James McGafiin, aged 70. 

Sept. 30, Mark H. Gould, aged 36. Mr. Gould had been a resident 
of Cohoes about four years and was well known as the manager of the 
manufacturing establishment of Hon. Wm. T. Horrobin. 

Oct. 15, John McCusker, aged 75. 

Oct. 28, John Tobin, aged 28. 

Dec. 8, Thomas Barclay, printer, aged 17. 

Dec. 16, Radcliflfe Taylor, aged 50. 

Dec. 23, Guy Blakely, aged 71. Mr. Blakely had been a resident 
of Cohoes since it was a hamlet. He was known as a conscientious, 
upright citizen and a devoted member of St. John's church, in which 
he served as warden for many years. 

1874. 

Jan. 2, in Niles, Michigan, H. S. Reinhart, aged 34. 

Jan. 8, William Jones, aged 27. 

Jan. 17, Charles T. Carter, aged 64. Mr. Carter, who was a twin 
brother of Thomas C. Carter of this city, was born in Newburyport, 
Mass., in 1810. In his early life he was a sailor — but about 1835, 
abandoned that occupation and came to Cohoes. He entered the em- 
ploy of Daniel Simmons, and was connected with the axe factory until 
1857, when after a short interval, during which he acted as station 
agent at this place of the Albany Northern RailRoad Co., he established 
the drug business, which he continued until his death. 



Appendix. 289 

Feb. 7, James L. N. Cranston, aged 39, was killed by the cars of the 
Rensselaer and Saratoga Rail Road, near Fort Edward. 

Feb. 8, Alexander Richmond, aged 38. 

March 8, Samuel W. Lovejoy, aged 43. Mr. Lovejoy was born in 
Oxford, N. H., in 1831. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 
1857, and commenced the study of law in the oiBce of Judge Peckham, 
of Albany. In 1860 he came to Cohoes, where he soon took a promi- 
nent position among members of the bar. He was for a number of 
years deputy U. S. assessor, and at the time of his death was city 
attorney. 

March 17, William Searles, aged 65. 

March 29, Elislia T. Green, aged 62. Mr. Green had resided in 
Cohoes twenty-three years. Most of that time he had been an over- 
seer in the Harmony Mills. He was a man of strong integrity, and 
was frequently chosen to represent his ward in the village government. 

May 28, Jacob J. Lansing, died in Attica, Wyoming Co., N. Y. 
Mr. L. was a former resident of Cohoes, and well known to many of 
our older inhabitants. He liad been for a number of years previous to 
his death in the employ of the Erie Rail Koad Co. 

June 22, Michael Mulholland, aged 56. 

June 23, Joseph Taylor, aged 89. 

June 26, Louis Falardo, aged 73. 

July 2, James M. Campbell, aged 17. 

July 11, William Hogben. 

Aug. 2, John B. Moulthrop, aged 70. 

Aug. 7, John M. Dickson, aged 19. 

Sept. 9, Owen McDermott, aged 55. 

Sept. 10, William H. Eastwood, aged 19. 

Sept. 15, James Dillon, aged 19. 

Sept. 29, Edward McArdle, aged 55. 

Oct. 1, Michael Lally, aged 68. 

Oct. 4, Cornelius O'Keefe, aged 46. 

Oct. 5, Daniel Mahar, aged 60. 

Oct 14, Peter A. Brown, aged 30. Mr. Brown was a printer, having 
served an apprenticeship in the Cataract office. He entered the army 
during the rebellion, was taken prisoner and confined seven months in 
Andersonville, where he contracted the disease which resulted in his 
death. 

Oct. 21, Thomas J. Syms, aged 41. Mr. Syms had been a resident 
of Cohoes for twenty years. He served in the Union army during the 
rebellion, was taken prisoner and for seven months confined in Ander- 
sonville, where he suifered greatly from exposure and privation. 

Oct. 25, Benjamin F. Lovejoy, aged about 44. 

Nov. 9, Michael Fallon, aged 88. 

Nov. 12, Isaac D. F. Lansing, aged 84. Mr. Lansing was the oldest 
resident of Cohoes, having been born in 1790, in the brick house still 
standing near the Cohoes Company's dam, and resided in that locality 
all his life. As will be seen elsewhere, his ancestors were among the 
earliest settlers of Cohoes, and were the first to utilize the water power 
of the Mohawk, having established in 1740, the mills above the falls 
which remained in ])ossession of the family until a few years ago. 
Living as he did, outsideoftlie business centre of Cohoes, Mr. Lansing 
took no very active part in the development of the place, but he was 
well known in the community, and universally honored and respected 

37 



290 Appendix. 

Nov. 18, Edward Cavenaugh, aged 28. 
Nov. 19, William N. Crawford, aged 50. 
Nov. 27, Thomas Hemphill, aged about 32. 
Dec. 2, William Harrison, aged 64. 
Dec. 8, Patrick K. Murphy, aged 45. 
Dec. 14, William Qreason, aged about 32. 
Dec. 30, John Short, aged 66. 

1875. 

Jan. 7, Lucius Doolittle, aged 88. 

Jan. 14, Charles H. Vaughan, printer, aged 26. 

Jan. 21, Joshua Bailey, aged 75, in Water ford, N. Y. Mr. Bailey 
was one of the pioneers of Cohoes, and from bis connection with the 
early history of the knitting business, elsewhere spoken of, had a most 
important influence in the history of the place. He remained in active 
business until a few years since when he retired to enjoy the ample 
competence which was the result of his labors. 

Jan. 24, Michael Keating, aged 54. 

Jan. 27, Owen Garraghan, aged 55. 

Feb. 1, Patrick Denniu, aged 77. 

Feb. 7, Pett-r Foley, aged 32. 

Feb. 25, John Wesley Howarth, eldest son of Henry Howarth, con- 
tractor and builder, aged 32. 

March 11, Hugh Laughlin, aged 62. 

March 14, Dennis Ryan, aged 49. 

March 21, William R. Eagan, policeman, aged 24. 

March 25, Myron C. Lansing, youngest son of Jacob I. Lansing, 
aged 21. 

March 26, Thomas McNamara, aged 22. 

March 28, James Burns, aged 36. 

April 9, Charles W. Carter, son of the late Charles T. Carter, aged 
25. 

April 13, John Fielding, musician, aged 30. 

April 15, John McCorniick, aged 64. 

April 15, Daniel Fitzpatrick, aged 62. 

April 16, John Connors, aged 28. 

April 23, Patrick McGraw, aged 60. 

April 26, Matthew Bannon, aged 22. 

May 5, Thomas Connors, aged 63. 

May 11, John Downs, aged 27. 

May 13, Thomas Mullin, aged 21. 

May 12, Peter Casey, aged 74. Mr. Casey was one of the oldest re- 
sidents of the place, having been a citizen for 42 years. 

May 17, Martin Fitzpatrick, aged 47. 

May 18, Richard Ardron, aged 59. 

May 22, Daniel B. McClary, aged 29. Mr. McC. was a printer, well- 
known in the city. He served honorably in the late war as a member 
of the 12th Reg't N. Y. Cavalry. 

May 27, John M. Spencer, aged about 60. For over twenty years 
Mr. Spencer had lived in Cohoes and on several occasions served the 
people as census marshal and in other positions. 

May 29, George Monk, aged 39. 

June 4, John Prairie, aged 55. 

June 15, John Belville, aged 36. 



Appendix. 291 

June 21, Michael Lawler, aged 67. 

June 22, in Albany, Alexander M. Gregory, aged 65. Mr. Gregory, 
though never residing in this city, liad been engaged in the knitting 
business here for many years and was a prominent business man. He 
was one of the firm of Gregorys & Hiller. 

June 28, Michael Brennan, aged 65. 

July 2, Thomas B. Flannigan, aged 29. 

July 5, William Parker, aged 20. 

July 8, Joseph Mirault, aged 25. 

July 9, Patrick Burke, aged 45. 

July 10, Charles Hicks, aged 32. 

July 16, In Swansea, Mass., John W. Lansing, formerly of Cohoes, 
aged 61. 

August 2, Dennis Normile, aged 29. 

August 8, Patrick Quinlan, aged 30. 

August 11, William Bindewald, aged 20. 

August 31 , William S. South worth, aged 68. Mr. South worth, who 
came to this city from Bennington, Vt., was the son of Judge Gordon 
Southworth of Dorset, in that state. He commenced the study of law 
at the age of twenty-one and soon became one of the leading members 
of the profession. He was for some time engaged in manufacturing 
in Lowell, Mass., and came to Cohoes in 1873. Although he had re- 
sided here but a short time, he had endeared himself to all by his kindly 
manner and upright character. 

Sept. 4, Joseph Rousseau, aged 64. 

Sept. 11, Thomas A. Hall, aged about 32. 

Sept. 18, James M. Hayward, aged 56. Mr. Flayward came to Co- 
hoes in 1850, and commenced the flour and feed business, in which he 
was engaged until his death. He was one of our best known citizens. 

Sept. 21, Peter Ryan, aged 20. 

Sept. 29, Thomas Larkin, aged 19. 

Oct. 1, William Evers, aged 69. 

Oct. 2, Thomas Kenny, aged 75. 

Oct. 5, Frank Fitzpatrick, aged 35. 

Oct. 5, George Greason. 

Oct. 8, James Winterbottom. Mr. Winterbottom had been in the 
employ of the Harmony Co., nearly 17 years. He served in the army 
during the rebellion. 

Oct. 14, Thomas McTigue, aged 66. 

Oct. 30, Robert Barton, aged 51. 

Nov. 6, Thomas Page, aged 66. 

Nov. 22, Patrick Kennedy, aged 42. 

Nov. 27, John Copeland, aged 65. Mr. Copeland came to Cohoes in 
1860, and continued the business of slate roofer until his decease. He 
took an active part in the organization of the Friendly Society of the 
Sons of Scotia and the Caledonian Club of Cohoes and was one of their 
most earnest supporters. 

Dec. — , Peter Vandercook, Sen., aged 85. Mr. Vandercook had been 
a resident of Cohoes 39 years. He was born in Pittstown, liens. Co., 
N. T., and in 1836 removed to Cohoes, locating at the head of the four 
locks, where he lived for many years. He was a farmer and miller by 
occupation. 

Dec. 10, James Durrant, aged 49. Mr. Durrant left home in company 
with his son, Nov. 29th, on a visit to California, and hadnearly reached 



292 Appendix. 

the end of his journey, when he was killed by accident. He was well 
and favorably known as a citizen and master builder. 

Dec. 20, in VVatervliet, Francis Witbeck, ao:ed 57. For many years 
he was foreman in the finisliintr department of D. Simmons &Co's axe 
factory, and was prominent as an active, public-spirited citizen. He 
was frequently chosen to serve the people in public positions. 

Dec. 27, John Owens, aged 49. 

Dec. 29, Patrick Reeves, aged 67. 

1876. 

Jan. 9, Richard Clark, aged 78. 

Jan. 17, Joseph Derocher, Sen., aged 75. 

Jan. 21, John Bulson, aged 44. 

Feb. 3, Charles Lanagau, aged 75. 

Feb. 6, John Pierson, aged 56. 

Feb. 12, Gabriel Cropsey, aged 70. For many years Mr. Cropsey 
was one of the leading manufactiirers of flour in the place, having been 
connected with that interest in Cohoes, and in the immediate neighbor- 
hood, ever since it assumed any importance as a branch of our local 
industries. He died in Hibernia, Dutchess Co., N. Y. 

Feb. 20, William Fogarty, aged 39. 

Feb. 22, Dennis F. Quillinan, aged 20. 

Feb. 29, George H. Gregory, aged 28. 

March 6, Patrick Holloran, aged 65. 

March 22, Edward Connaughty, aged 22. 

March 26, Joseph Langlois, aged 23. 

March 29, William Hobart, aged 70. 

March 30, Joseph De Graff, aged 60. 

March 31, William Ferguson, aged 23. 

April 6, Joseph Archambault, aged 40. 

April 13, John Davis, aged 77. Mr. Davis had been a resident of 
Cohoes twenty-nine years, and was for a long period superintendent of 
the Cohoes cemetery. 

April 21, Edward Ryan, aged 58. 

April 22, Michael Walsh, father of the Rev. John Walsh, pastor of 
St. John's church at Albany. 

April 25, Robert Whittle, aged 70. Mr. Whittle had resided in 
Cohoes twenty-five years, and although not prominently connected 
with business interests, was one of the best known citizens of the place. 

April 26, William Fleming, aged 76. Mr. Fleming was born in 
Tipperary, Ireland, emigrated to this country forty years ago, and had 
been a resident of Cohoes for the past thirty-five years. 

May 3, Michael Daly, aged 48. 

May 10, William Enos, aged 40. 

May 13, William Murphy, aged 34. 

May 22, John Lally, aged 21. 

May 27, Asahel Carpenter, aged 69. Mr. Carpenter had been a resi- 
dent of Cohoes thirty-four years, and most of the time was employed 
in the Simmons axe factory. 

May 27, Peter F. Daw, aged 67. Mr. Daw had been a resident of 
Cohoes nearly thirty years, and had held a number of public positions, 
among them the offices of justice of the peace, associate justice and 
post-master. During the last fifteen years of his life he was deputy 
U. S. marshal of this district. 



Appendix. 293 

June 1st, Patrick Keoughan, aged 45. 

June 3, Timotliy O'Brien, aged 27. 

June 8, Patrick McCormick, aged 78. 

June 27, Dr. William Boudrias, aged 2a. Mr. Boudrias was a young 
man of fine ability, and though but fairly entered upon the practice of 
his profession, had taken rank among the foremost dentists of Phila- 
delphia, where he had made his residence. He was the eldest son of 
Dr. Louis Boudrias of this city. 

June 30, Aaron RadclifFe, aged 55. 

July 1, John Wesley Frink, aged 50. Mr. Frink, who had been a 
member of the firm of Alden, Frink & Weston, was for many years one 
of the most prominent and iufluentia! business men of Cohoes. Besides 
being largely interested in manufacturing, while in active business, 
he at different times occupied important positions in our local go- 
vernment. 

July 10, Thomas Carter, son of Thomas C. Carter, aged 88. 

July 18, Thomas Collier, aged 68. 

August 13, Arthur Monahon, aged 70. 

August 16, Thomas F. Kelly, printer, aged 25. 

August 27, Henry J. Vanderwerken, aged 69. He had lived in 
Cohoes the greater part of his life and as an old resident, was widely 
known. 

Sept. 12, Justus Eastwood, aged about 45. 

Sept. 20, John Englestoff, aged 32. 

Sept. 21, Patrick Rvan, aged 50. 

Sept. 29, William Ryan, aged 60. 

Oct. 1, James Mokler, aged 42. 

Oct. 8, Alexis Girard, aged 20. 

Oct. 13, John Farrell, aged 55. 

Oct. 22, William Schofield, aged about 26. 

Oct. 25, Michael McGrail, aged 67. 

Oct. 26, John Monogue, aged 63. 

Nov. 2, James Gill, aged 30. 

Nov. 5, Thomas Stanton, aged 85. 

Nov. 8, Kossuth Parker, aged 24. 

Nov. 9, Isaac Jones, aged 21. 

Nov. 17, William Leckie, aged 57. Mr. Leckie was born in Paisley, 
Scotland, April 20th, 1819, and removed to this country at the age of 
9. He located at Williamstown, Mass., and was educated at the Len- 
nox Academy. He had been a resident of Cohoes thirty-five years ; 
was overseer in the Ogdeu Mill several years and for a short time was 
principal in what was known as the Depot School of the 2d ward. He 
subsequently became connected with a firm that operated the Halcyon 
Mill and was superintendent of that establishment when it passed into 
the hands of Messrs. Kerr & Knowlson, of Troy. His last business 
engagement was in the position of superintendent of the Clifton Knit- 
ting Mill where he remained six years, closing in 1868. He was trustee 
of the Cohoes Savings Institution and had been called upon to fill 
various responsible positions. 

Nov. 17, Thomas McDonough, aged 53. 

Nov. 18, Dr. Thomas C. Howes, aged 53. Dr. Howes removed from 
Troy to ( 'ohoes in 1872, and during his residence here was proprietor 
of the drug store corner of Remsen and White streets. He was an in- 
fluential member of St. John's Episcopal church. 

Nov. 27, William Williams, aged about 70. He was one of the 



294 Appendix. 

oldest residents of the first ward and an employe of the Harmony 
Mills from their establishment. 

Nov. 30, Killian F. Winnie, aged 72. 

Dec. 4, Timothy Atridge, aged 65. 

Dec. 4, Alexander Giard, aged 30. 

Dec. 4, Moses Duquette, aged 29. 

Dec. 11, William Bowler, aged 25. 

Dec. 15, James Haj den, aged 27. 



Appendix. 296 



Officers of the Village and City of Cohobs. 

1848-1876, 
Village Officers. 

LHE following were elected by ballot, except the president, who 
was chosen by the trustees from their number until 1856. 

1848. 

President. — Joshua R. Clarke. 

Trustees. — Alfred Phelps, Joshua R. Clarke, Geo. Abbott, Henry D, 
Fuller, Wm. Burton. 

Assessors. — Henry En Earl, John P. Steenberg, Wm. H. Hollister. 

Treasurer. — Charles A. Olmsted. 

Collector. — Jno. B. Harrison. 

Clerk. — John Van Santvoord. 

Poundmaster. — Isaac F. Fletcher. 

Fire Wardens.^ — Jacob Upham, Henry Van Auken, John McGill, 
Wm. Osterhout, Abram Ostrom. 

1849. 

President. — Henry D. Fuller. 

Trustees. — Joshua R. Clarke, Miles White, Alfred Phelps, Wm. 
Burton, Henry D. Fuller. 

Assessors. — Wm. Dickey, Bradley Alexander, Matthew Fitzpatrick, 

Treasurer. — Wm. H. Hollister. 

Collector'. — Lawrence S. Fonda. 

Clerh. — John Van Santvoord. 

Poundmaster. — Isaac F. Fletcher. 

Fire Wardens. — Wm. Osterhout, Henry Van Auken, John McGill. 
Wm. Orelup, Jr. 

1850. 

President. — Henry D. Fuller. 

Trustees. — Henry En Earl, Sr., Henry D. Fuller. Wm. H. Hollister, 
Wm. G. Caw, Joshua R. Clarke. 

Assessors. — Wm. Orelup, Jr., Ralph Buss, Abram Ostrom. 

Treasurer. — Franklin Waring. 

Collector. — John B. Harrison. 

Clerk. — John Van Santvoord. 

Fire Wardens. — Lucien Fitts, Henry Van Auken, Wm. K. Lighthall, 
John Orelup. 

1851. 

President. — Wm. F. Carter. 

Trustees. — Wm. F. Carter, Truman G. Younglove, Joseph A.Si- 
mons, John Hay Jr., Wm. H. Hollister. 

Assessors. — Wm. Dickey, Alex. Friuk, Miles White. 

Treasurer. — Henry L. Landon. 

Collector. — John B. Harrison. 

Clerk. — Abram H. Van Arnam. 



> Elected Sept. 27. 



296 Appendix. 

Fire Wardens. — Wm. Osterliout, John Doyle, Geo. N. Ferguson, 
Eliliu M. Stevenson. 

Poundmaster. — Wm. Welch. 

School Trustees. — No. 13, S. H. Foster, Jacob Travis; No. 5, Wm. 
Burton, Geo. W. Miller ; No. 19, Abram Lansing, Wm. Binns. 

Police Justice. — Alfred Phelps. 

1852. 

President. — Wm. F. Carter. 

Trustees. — Wm. F. Carter, John McGill, Egbert Egberts, Lucien 
Fitts, Jacob I. Lansing. 

Assessors. — Wm. Orelup Sr., Jeremiah Clute, Edw'd W. Fuller. 

Treasurer. — Henry L. Landon. 

Collector. — Nathan L. Benson. 

Clerk. — Benjamin Hutchins. 

Fire Wardens. — Juo. Eastwood, ElihuM. Stevenson, Stephen Dietz, 
Geo. Howarth. 

Poundmaster. — Samuel Stiles. 

School Trustees. — No. 13, Ralph Buss ; No. 5, T. C. Carter, Jos. M. 
Brown ; No. 19, Darius Parkhurst, Robert Johnston. 

1853. 

President. — N. W. En Earl. 

Trustees. — Nicholas W. En Earl, Isaac F. Fletcher, Edward O'Reilly, 
Geo. Lawrence, Henry L. Landon. 

Assessors. — Michael Donovan, Jno. P. Steenberg, Walter Witbeck. 

Treasurer. — Malachi Weidman. 

Collector. — Edward Murray. 

Clerk. — Geo. H. Wager. 

Fire Warde7is. — Peter Powers, John Larkin, Peter Smith, Alex. 
M'Wha. 

Poundmaster. — 

School Trustees. — No. 13, John Sullivan ; No. 5, John Van Ness ; 
No. 19, Peter Van Der Cook, Sr. 

1854. 

President. — Wm. F. Carter. 

Trustees. — Ralph Buss, C. H. Adams, Wm. Burton, John Hender- 
son, Wm. F. Carter. 

Assessors. — Alexander Frink, Wm. Orelup Sr., Stephen Dodge. 

Treasurer. — Edward W. Fuller. 

Collector — . Ira Kilmer. 

Clerk. — Norton T. Raynsford. 

Fire Warde7is. — Henry Van Auken, Wm. Dutemple, Andrew J. 
Ballard, E. G. Mussey. 

Poundmaster. — Moses House. 

School Ti'ustees. — No. 13, Jacob Travis; No. 5, Jenks Brown; No. 
19, Elisha T. Green. 

1855. 

President. — Wm. N. Chadwick. 

Trustees. — Henry S. Bogue, Wm. N. Chadwick, Malachi Weidman, 
Francis Henderson, Wm. Ferrell. 

Assessors. — Orson Parkhurst, Geo. Lawrence, Wm. K. Lighthall. 
Treasurer. — Edward W. Fuller. 
Collector. — Stevens V. Trull. 



Appendix. 297 

Clerk. — Wm. Shannon. 

Police Justice. — Alex Frink. 

Fire Wardens. — H. Van Auken, Wm. Dutemple, Lorenzo Worden, 
Jolin Welton. 

Pounclmaster. — Jas. Delve. 

School Trustees. — No. 13, Leonard Gary, Matthew Fitzpatrick ; 
No. 5, Leonard Van Derkar, Geo. H. Wager ; No. 19, Elbridge Damon. 

1856. 

President. — Henry L. Landon. 

Trustees. — Is^ Ward: Wm. Orelup, Jr., 2 years ; Elisha T. Green, 
1 year ; 2(Z Ward : John W. Frink, 2 years ; Francis Pennock, 1 year ; 
3d Ward : Walter Witbeck,2 years ; Isaac F. Fletcher, 1 year. 

Chairman Board of Education. — Truman G. Younglove. 

School Commissioners. — \st Ward : Samuel H. Foster, 2 years ; David 
Aiken, 1 year ; 2d Ward : G. H. Vermilyea, 2 years ; Jonathan Hiller, 
1 year ; M Ward : John R. Bullock, 2 years ; Jno. P. Steenberg, 1 year. 

Assessors. — Jonas Simmons, Alex. Frink, Sheffield Hay ward. 

Treasurer. — Isaac Quackenbush. 

Collector. — Henry Lyons. 

Sealer of Weights and Measures. — Wm. Beeman. 

Poundmaster. — Jno. Westover. 

1857. 

Trustees. — \st Ward: Jas. F. Crawford. 2d Ward: Isaac Van 
Natten. M Ward ; G. H. Wager. 

Treasurer. — Henry S. Bogue. 

Collector. — John Van Ness. 

Assessor. — Geo. Lawrence. 

School Commissioners. — 1st Ward: Wm. C. Carroll. 2d Ward: 
John Little. Zd Ward : Henry Lyons. 

Sealer of Weiglits and Measures. — Francis Keating. 

1858. 

President. — Henry L. Landon. 

Trustees. — 1st Ward : D. J. Johnston. 2d Ward : S. D. Fairbank. 
Zd Ward : Joseph Chadwick. 

Assessor. — Joshua K. Clarke. 

Treasurer. — Francis Henderson. 

Collector. — Malachi Ball. 

Chairman Board of Education. — Truman G. Younglove. 

School Commissioners. — 1st Ward : Rob't Rogerson. 2d Ward : 
Jenks Brown, od Ward: John Van Der Mark. 

Sealer of Weights and Measures. — Wm. Beeman. 

1859. 

Trustees. — 1st Ward : Geo. Lawrence. 2d Ward : Wm. G. Caw. 
Zd Ward : John Fulton. 

Assessor. — Almon C. Bryant. 

Treasurer. — Francis Henderson. 

Collector. — Malachi Ball. 

Sclwol Commissioners. — 1st Ward: G. H. Vermilyea. 2d Ward: 
J. V. S. Lansing. 3rf Ward : Geo. Jackson. 

Police Justice. — Peter D. Niver. 

Sealer of Weights and Measures. — Wm. Beeman. 

38 



298 Appendix. 

I860. 

President. — Sidney Alden, 

Trustees. — \st ward : D. Fitzpatrick. 2d ward : P. Smith. M ward : 
Walter Witbeck. 

Assessors. — Jonas Simmons, Robert Whittle. 

Treasurer. — Egbert J. Wilkins. 

Collector. — Jas. Waters. 

Chairman Board of Education. — Geo. H. Wager. 

School Commissioners. — \st ward : A. T. Calkins. 2d ward : John 
Van Ness, ^d ward : Jas. H. Masten. 

Sealer of Weights and Measures. — Edward McCarthy. 

1861. 

Trustees. — \st ward : Cornelius Houlihan. 2d icard : Wright Mallery. 
Zd ward : S. Stiles. 

Assessors. — Abram Van Der Werken, Wm. H. Hollister. 

IVeasurer. — John Lyons. 

Collector. — Nathan L. Benson. 

School Commissioners. — 1st ward : Wm. Orelup, Jr. 2d ward : Jno. ' 
V. S. Lansing ; 8d ward : N. W. En Earl. 

Sealer of Weights and Measures. — Daniel B. Mcintosh. 

Poundmaster. — George Cummings. 

1862. 

President. — Wm. F. Carter. 

Trustees. — Istioard : John Land. 2d ward : C. H. Adams. 8d ward : 
Benj. F. Clarke. 

Assessor. — Jno. P. Steenberg. 

Treasurer. — Jno. W. Frink. 

Collector. — Edward Welch. 

Chairman Board of Education. — James H. Masten. 

School Commissioners. — 1st icard : Geo. Dixon. 2d ward : David J. 
Johnston, od tcard : Halsey K. Grant. 

Sealer of Weights and. Measures. — D. B. M'Intosh. 

Poundmaster. — Joseph Simpson. 

1863. 

Trustees. — 1st ward : Geo. Lawrence. 2d ward : Alfred Rider 
3d Ward : H. Brockway. 

Assessor. — Daniel Simpson. 

Treasurer. — Walter Witbeck. 

Collector. — Thomas Keefe. 

Police Justice. — Harvey Clute. 

School Commissioners. — 1st ward : Wm. S. Smith. 2d ward : Gil 
bert H. Vermilyea. 3d ward : John Van Ness. 

Police Constables. — Wm. Stanton, Peter Manton, M. Bowler. 

Street Stiperintendent . — Jas. Hay. 

Sealer of Weights and Measures. — Patrick Sheridan. 

1864. 

President. — Geo. H. Wager. 

Trustees. — 1st ward : John Fulton. 2d ward : T. R. Howard, 8d 
ward : Sherebiah Stiles. 

Assessor. — John Brady. 



Appendix. 299 

Treasurer. — Walter Witbeck. 
Collector. — Michael Keeden. 

Chairman Board of Education. — Samuel H. Foster. 
School Commissioners. — \st ward: Reuben S. Calkins. 2d ward: 
Spencer Friuk. 3(? ward : Halsey R. Grant. 

Constables. — Wm. Stanton, Peter Manton, Patrick H. Kelly. 
Street Superintendent. — Michael Long. 
Sealer of Weights and Measures. — Thos. Nagle. 
Poundmaster. — Jno. Cavanaugh. 

1865. 

Trustees. — \st icard : S. G. Root. 2d ward : Wm. H. Stevenson. 
T. P. Hildreth (to fill vacancy). 3rf ward : Henry Brockway. 

Assessors. — John Baker, Jno. McMuUen. 

Treasurer. — John W. Frink. 

Collector. — Thomas Gaffney. 

School Commissioners. — \st ward : Wm. S. Smith. 2d ward : J. W. 
Moore. 3d ward : Norris North. 

Constables. — Jas. Clark, Peter Manton, Chas. Muldowney. 

Street Sup't. — Wm. Smead. 

Sealer of Weights and Measures. — Richard Clark. 

Poundmaster. — Nicholas D. Lounsberry. 

1866. 

President. — Murray Hubbard. 

Trustees. — 1st ward : Lewis W. Land. 2d ward : Daniel Mcintosh. 
3cZ ward : Daniel Wilder. 

Assessor. — Geo. Lawrence. 

Treasurer. — John Wakeman. 

Collector. — Robert Frost. 

Chairman Board of Education. — Samuel H. Foster. 

School Commissioners. — 1st toai'd : D.J. Johnston. 2d icard : R. 
S. Calkins, dd icard : H. R. Grant. 

Constables. — Pat'k Thornton, Garret Robbins, Chas. Muldowney. 

Street Sup't. — John Foley. 

Sealer of Weights and Measures. — Martin Garrigan. 

Poundmaster. — John Rossi ter. 

1867. 

Trustees. — 1st toard : John F. Simpson. 2d icard : Alfred LeRoy. 
3(Z Wrt?'(Z .• Jas. Lamb. 

Assessor. — Sheffield Hay ward. 

Treasurer. — Gilbert H. Vermilyea. 

Collector. — Edward Brennan. 

Police Justice. — Harvey Clute. 

School Commissioners. — 1st ward : Jno. S. Crane. 2d ward : M. S. 
Younglove. '6d ward : Jno. M. Spencer. 

Street Sup't. — John Drysdale. 

Constables. — Robert Frost, John McCullick, Moses House. 

Sealer of Weights and Measures. — Patrick McGrath. 

Poundmaster. — John Rossi ter. 

1868. 

President. — Augustus EUmaker. 

Trustees. — 1st ward : Wm. Stanton. 2d ward : Wm. Warner. 8d 
ward : Edwin Hitchcock. 



800 Appendix. 

Assessor. — Guy Blakeley. 
Treasure^'. — Geo. H. Wager. 
Collector. — Geo. Van Der Cook. 
Chairman Board of Education. — Samuel H. Foster. 
School Commissioners. — 1st wai'd : Daniel Simpson. 2d ward : 
Clias. Rogers. 3d loard : Harvey Ferris. 

Constables. — John O'Brien, John Long, Henry Morrison. 
Street Sup't. — Andrew Cox. 

Sealer of Weights and Measures. — Patrick McGrath. 
Poundmaster. — John Rossiter. 

1869. 

Trustees. — 1st icard : John S. Crane. 2d ward : Wm. S. Smith. 
3d ward : Jas. B. McKee. 

Assessor. — Anthony Russell. 

Treasurer. — Geo. H. Wager. 

Collector. — Thomas Nolan. 

School Commissioners. — \st ward: Jas. E. Place. 2d ward: T. P. 
Hildreth. 3d icard : Wm. C. Travis. 

Constables. — Jas. O'Brien, Peter McAvinia, Michael Bowler. 

Street Sup't. — Peter Powers. 

Sealer of Weights and Measures. — Patrick McGratli. 

During the years when the street superintendent, village clerk and 
police constables were appointed by the trustees, those officers were 
as follows : 

Street Superintende^its. 

1849, Frederick W. Upham. 1856, 1857, Samuel Steenberg. 

1850, Elbridge G. Mussey. 1858. Leonard Van Der Kar. 

1851, Lewis Wells. 1859, R. G. Smith. 

1852, Adam Van Der Werken. 1860, John Doyle. 
1858, Daniel Nugent. 1861, Francis Keating. 

1854, Adam Van Der Werken. 1862, Jas. Hay. 

1855, Chas. T. Carter. 

Clerks. 

1856, D. S. Ostrom. 1861, Wm. Shannon. 

1857, '58, '59, P. B. Ferguson. 1862, '63, Wm. H. Stevenson. 
1860, Michael Monahon. 1864-1870, Malachi Ball. ' 

Police Constables. 

1849, Alexander Frink. 1856,'57,'58,Peter Van Der Cook, Jr. 

1850, 51, John M. Browuson. 1859, '60, Hugh O'Hare. 

1852, Joseph M. Brown. 1861, Michael Long, Hugli O'Hare, 

1853, Justus Eastwood. Wm. Stanton, Richard Hurst. 

1854, Abner Deyo. 1862, Jas. T. Hemphill, Peter F. 

1855, Frederick S.Uhl. Daw, Daniel E. M'Intosh. 

Chief Engineer of Fire Department. 
1852-1876. 

1852, Joshua R. Clarke. 1856, Joseph Gould, Jr. 

1853, Wm. Osterhout. 1857, John Eastwood. 

1854, Henry D. Fuller. 1858, Herbert Hastings. 

1855, Wm. Burton (resigned). 1859, Thos. V. Brown. 



' Ml'. Ball held the position of city clerk till June, 1871. 



Appendix. 



301 



1860, Malachi Ball. 

1861, '63, H. B. Silliman. 

1863, Timothy Atridge, Jr. 

1864, '65, Peter Maaton. 

1866, Daniel M'Intosli. 

1867, Joseph C. Dodge. 

1868, '69, Michael Redmond. 



1870,'71,Jas. Coleman. 

1872, Miller Hay. 

1873, Richard Powers. 

1874, Miller Hay. 

1875, James Cavenagh. 

1876, Martin Redmond. 



Water Commissioners. 

1856-1876. 

1856. 



Chas. H. Adams. / r „^„.„ Alfred Wild. ) o ^<.o.= 

TrumanG. Younglove. f '^ ^^^^^- Wm. F. Carter, f ^ y®^^^" 

>■ 4 years. 



Joshua Bailey. 
Henry D. Fuller. 

Jas. F. Crawford. 
Wm. Burton. 
Sberebiali Stiles. 



Wm. Gr. Caw.' 

A. M. Harmon (to fill vacancy). 

James H. Masten.' 
Wm. E. Thorn. 



John Clute. 
Henry Brockway. 

Jacob Travis. 



1858. 

John W. Frink. 
1860. 

Henry D. Fuller. 
1863. 

Daniel M'Elwain. 
1864. 

John Land. 

1866. 

Corneli'^s Houlihan. 
1868. 

Jas. Lamb. 
1870. 

A. M. Harmon (to fill vacancy). 

1873. 



City Officers. 
(Elected.) 

1870. 

Mayor. — Chas. H. Adams. 

Justice of the Peace. — Joseph Le Boeuf 

Poormaster. — Jno. H. Ring. 

Assessors. — T. Moore, 3 years. J. O'Neil, 2 years. O. Garrahan, 1 
year. 

Supervisors. — 1st ward: Joseph Coleman. 2d ward: Wm. T. 
Dodge. 'Sd icard : John Scully. 4th ward : Solomon Dotter. 

Aldermen. — \sticard: D. J. Johnston, 3 years. E. W. Lansing, 1 
year. 2(Z ward : Geo. Campbell, 3 years. M. S. Younglove, 1 year. 
Sdicard: B. Mulcahy, 2 years. Walter Witbeck, 1 year. 4th ward : 
C. F. North, 3 years. C. Hay, 1 year. 

School Commissioners.— \st ward: Frank C. Reavy, 2 years. 
Daniel Simpson, 1 year. 2d ward : Wm. Burton, 2 years. E. N . 



» Died. 
» Kesigned. 



302 Appendix. 

Page;, 1 year. Sd ward : A. M. Harmon, 2 years. J. Hiller, 1 year. 4:th 
ward : W. C. Travis, 2 years. W. S. Crane, 1 year. 

Constables. — 1st icard : Chas. Wilcox. 2d ward: J. M'Culloch. 
^d ward : M. M'Guire. 4t7i ward : Robt. P. Jones. 

Inspectors of Election. — \st ward: Matthew Keougli, Richard 
Nagle. 2d ward: Rodney Wilcox, S. W. Lovejoy. 3d ward : Jno. 
Fitzpatrick, Jno. B. Latta. 'itJi ward: J. Brown, P. Nagle. 

Police Gommissioners. — (Elected Nov. 8.) Geo. Z. Dockstader, Wm. 
Bamerick. 

(By appointment.) 

Excise Commissioners. — Henry D. Fuller, Edwin Hitchcock, Geo. 
H. Wager. 

Street Supenntendent. — Norris North. 

Supt. of Cemetery. — Daniel Manning. 

Chamberlain. — Leonard Gary. 

City Physician. — C. E. Witbeck. 

Trustee of Sinking Fund of Water Loan. — H. B. Silliman. 

Poundmaster. — Alexander Brown. 

Sealer of Weights and Measures. — Chas. Egan. 

Eire Wardens. — Wm. Clough, Wm. Doty, E. S. Gregory, Richard 
Shannon. 

1871. 
(Elected.) 

Recorder. — James F. Kelly. 

Overseer of Poor. — John H. Ring. 

Assessor. — Roger M'Garry. 

Supervisors. — 1st icard : Joseph Coleman. 2d icard : Wm. T. 
Dodge. 'M ward : John Scully. Wi ward : Solomon Dotter. 

Aldermen, — 'istirard: Cornelius Horan. 2d ward : David Morris. 
Sd loard : Jas. B. M'Kee. Ath tcard : Alfred Le Roy. 

ScJiool Commissioners. — 1st icard: Daniel F. Simpson. 2d ward : 
Edward N. Page. 3d! ward : Geo. Ducharme, 2 years. Edward 
Keeler, 1 year. Ath ward : Wm. Benedict. 

Constables. — 1st ward : Terrence Reeves. 2d ward : John M'Cul- 
loch. 3d icard : Michael M'Guire. Ath ward : Robt. P. Jones. 

Inspectors of Election. — 1st ward: Wm. S.tanton, F. C. Reavy, 
Absalom Sharp. 2d icard : S. W. Lovejoy, A. K. Dixon, Martin 
Brennan. 3cZ ward : Thos. Slavin, T. A. Murphey, Thos. Gleason. 
Ath ward : Wm. C. Travis, Jno. P. Webber, Francis Keegan. 
(By appointment.) 

Excise Commissioner. — Wm. Whitehill (to fill vacancy). 

Street Superintendent. — Norris North. 

Supt. of Cemetery. — Amos T. Calkins. 

Health Officer.— Chas. E. Witbeck. 

Poundmaster. — Thos. Larkins. 

Sealer of Weights and Measures. — Abraham N. Poole. 

City Clerk. — I. W. Lansing. 

1872. 

(Elected.) 
Mayor. — David J. Johnston. 
Assessor. — Alexander Frink. 
Police Commissioner. — Amos. T. Calkins. 

Supervisors. — Is^ wai-d : Michael Sherlock. 2d ward : Wm. T. 
Dodge, dd ward : Jas. M'Guirk. Ath ward : Wm. Nelligan. 



Appendix. 303 

Aldermen. — \st ward : John W. Howartla. 2d ward: Geo. Camp- 
bell. Sd wajxl : Jolm E. Land. 4t7i ward : Wm. C. Travis. 

School Commissioners. — 1st ward, : Frank C, Reavy. 2d ward : Geo. 
T. Carter. M icard : Sherebiah Stiles, 2 years. Wm. S. Gilbert, 1 
year. Wi ward : Edward S. Carpenter. 

Constables. — 1st loard : James Burns. 2d icard : Chas. Egan. 3d 
ward : Michael M'Guire. 4t7i ward : Robert P. Jones. 

Inspectors of Election. — 1st ward : Michael Cummins. Patk. Eng- 
lish, Thos. Smith. 2d tmrd : A. K. Dixon, J. H. Egan, P. H. Ross. 
3d ward : Thom;is Slavin, John Quinan ith ward : Chas. S. Travis, 
Jas. H. Masten, Michael Travis. 

(By appointment.) 

Street Superintendent. — Benj. Coveny. 

Supt. of Cemetery. — John Van Deusen. 

Charnherlain. — Leonard Cary. 

HeaUh Officer.— Chas. E. Witbeck. 

Sealer of Weights and Measures. — John Moulthrop. 

Fire Wardens. — Absalom Sharp, Alexander Arthur, John Horrocks, 
Timothy Atridge, Jr. 

City Clerk. — John H. Egan. 

City Attorney. — S. W. Lovejoy. 

City Engineer. — John W. Ford. 

Overseer of Poor. — Thos. Newby. 
1873. 
(Elected.) 

Assessor. — Edward Heflfern. 

Supervisors. — 1st icard: Silas Owen. 2d ward : Geo. E. Simmons. 
3d icard : Jas. M'Guirk. 4?/i ward : C. Van Der Cook. 

Aldermen. — 1st ward : Michael Noonan. 2d tcard : David Morris. 
3d icard : Thos. Nolan. AtJi icard : Alfred Le Roy. 

School Commissioners. — 1st ward : Jas. D. Featherstonhaugh. 2d 
ward: James A. Stimsou. 3d ward: Jonathan Hiller. Ath ward: 
Wm. R. Benedict. 

Constables. — 1*^ icard: John Coleman. 2d ward: Alfred Brault. 
3d icard : John H. Condley. Ath ward : Robt. P. Jones 

Inspectors of Election. — l.st icard : Michael Cummins, Edward Barret, 
D. Munro. 2d ward : A. K. Dixon, W. F. Jones, P. H. Ross. 3d 
ward : Michael Sheelian, John Scully, T. A. Murphey. At7i ward : 
Jas. H. Masten, P. E. Marshall, P. D. Niver. 
(By appointment.) 

Excise Commissioners. — Joshua R. Clarke, Henry D. Fuller, Geo. 
Higgins. 

Street Superintendent. — James Hay. 

Supt. of Cemetery. — Dennis Daley. 

Health Officer.— Geo. H. Billings. 

Sealer of Weights and Measures. — John Moulthrop. 

Poundmaster. — Abram H. Fonda. 

Fire Wardens. — Henry Humphreys, Nelson White, Alex. Brown, 
Frank Fonda. 

City Clerk. — John H. Egan 

City Attorney. — S. W. Lovejoy. 

City Engineer. — John W. Ford. 

Overseer of Poor. — Thos. Newby. 



304 Appendix, 

1874. 
(Elected.) 

Mayor. — Henry S. Bogue. 

Police Commissioner. — John Slavin. 

Justices of the Pence. — Michael Redmond, Jas. B. Sweeney. 

Assessor. — John Quirk. 

Supervisors. — Isttcard: Thos. O'Dea. 2dioard: Geo. E. Simmons. 
3d ward : Jas. M'Guirk. Uh imrd : Maurice Fitzgerald. 

Aldermen. — \st loard: Wm. Stanton. 2d tcard : Jno. V. S. Lan- 
sing. Zdicard: John Scott. Wi ward : Philip E. Marshall. 

School Commissioners. — \st tcard : Michael M'Garrahan. 2d ward: 
Geo. H. Graves. 3d ward: Jas. B. M'Kee. itliward: John S.Crane. 

Constables. — \st ward : John Coleman. 2d tcard : Henry Shepard. 
3d ward: John H. Condley. Wi loard : Michael J. Burke. 

Inspectors of Election. — \stward: Michael Meagher, Amos Crapo, 
Edwin Clough. 2d ward: W. F. Jones, D. M. Adams, Abram Van 
Der Werken. 3d ward : Jas. Hayden, Bernard Acheson, Myron Van 
Benthuysen. Ath ward: Thos. H. Kelly, Edgar H. Stiles, Jas. H. 
Masten. 

(By appointment.) 

Chamberlain. — Chas. F. North. 

Sealer of Weights and Measures. — Bernard Ryan. 

City Attorney. — Peter D. Niver. 

City Engineer. — John W. Ford. 

Overseer of Poor. — Michael Breen. 
1875. 
(Elected.) 

Assessor. — James Rabbit. 

Supervisors. — 1st icard : Thomas O'Dea. 2d ward : Frank Brown, 
Jr. 3d ward : Thomas Golden. 4</i icard : Solomon Dotter. 

Aldermen. — 1st ward: Silas Owen. 2d ward: Nathan Shaver. 
3d ward : Thomas Nolan. Ath tcard : Thomas Ryan. 

School Commissioners. — 1st wa d: Jas. Doherty. 2d ward: Geo. 
T.Carter. 3d ward: Matthew Fitzpatrick. Athward : Malachi Ball. 

Constables. — 1st ward : Patrick Hanly. 2d tcard : John Hay. 3d 
ward : John H. Condley. AtJi, tcard : Edward Kenney. 

Inspectors of Election. — 1st tcard : Edward J. M'Alear, M. Meagher, 
Jno. H. Graves. 2d tcard : Jas. Van Benthuysen, A. K. Dixon, Hugh 
Cahill. 3d tcard : Thos. Scott, Michael Sheehan, Chas. D. Gilman. 
\th ward : Geo. Whitney, Francis Keegan, Wesley Miller. 
(By appointment.) 

Excise Commissioner. — Daniel M'Intosh (to fill vacancy). 

Fire Warden. — Henry C. Hibbard (to fill vacancy). 

i87G. 
(Elected.) 

Mayor. — David J. Johnston. 

Police Commissioner. — Edwin Hitchcock. 

Assessor. — Timothy Moore. 

Supervisors. — Is^ ward : Thos. Murphy. 2d tcard : Frank Brown, 
Jr. 3d tcard : Thos. Golden. Ath tcard : Joseph Stewart. 5th ward : 
Geo. E. Simmons. 

Aldermen. — 1st tcard : Eugene Conway. 2d ward : Jno. V. S. 
Lansing. 3d ward : Daniel E. M'Intosh. Ath ward : Philip E. Mar- 



Appendix. 306 

Bliall. 5th xcard : Daniel M'Elwain, 1 year, Michael English, 2 years. 

School Commissioners. — 1st ward: Patrick J. M'Kee. 2d ward: 
Theodore W. Pease. '6d ward : Edward Monk. Ath ward : Geo. Van 
Der Cook. 5th ward : Peter Murray, 1 year, Geo. C. Daley, 3 years. 

Constables. — 1st ward: John Coleman. 2d ward: Lees Wrigley. 
3fZ ward : John Crowley. 4t7i ward : Henry K. Dickey. 5th ward : 
John Doran. 

Inspectors of Election. — Is^ ward: Jas. Deecher, Edward Ward, 
Frank Simpson. 2d ward : Burton W. Crandall, John McEwan, R. 
J. Powers. 'Sd ward : Thomas Scott, Louis G. LeBoeuf, Charles D. 
Gilman. ith ward : Wm. C. Demarest. Wesley Miller, Bernard Linnen. 
5th ward : Edmund Barret, John Kennedy, John Cooley. 
(By appointment.) 

Excise Commissioners. — Wrji. Whitehill, Chas. S. Longley, John 
Carter. 

Street Superintendent. — James Hay. 

Health Officer. — Geo. H. Billings. 

Poundmaster. — Abram H. Fonda. 

Sealer of Weights and Measures. — Bernard Ryan. 

Fire Wardens. — Harry Hibbard, Nelson White, Alex. Brown, Frank 
Fonda. 

City Clerk. — John H. Egan. 

City Attorney. — Peter D. Niver. 

City Engineer. — John W. Ford. 

Overseer of Poor. — Michael Breen. 



Members op the Legislatitiie prom Cohoes. 
Assembly. 
1858, Charles H. Adams. 1869, 70, John Tighe. 

1866, James F. Crawford. 1875, Alfred Le Roy. 

Senate. 

1872, Charles H. Adams. 

Member op Congress. 

1873, Charles H. Adams. 



39 



INDEX. 



Abbey, Chas.E., 160. 

Abbey, Wm , 161. 

Abbott, Geo. I., 88, 91, 260, 274, 295. 

Abel, James, 270. 

Aberhart, John, 161. 

Ablett, James W., 160. 

Ablett, Wm. H., 160. 

Achesou, Bernard, 304. 

Achesou, James, 159. 

Achesou, John, 161. 

Achesou, Wm.. 136, 155. 217, 225, 262. 

Ackley, Oscar L.. 161, 276. 

Adams, A. W., 250. 

Adams, C. H., 78, 110, 115, 119, 129, 130, 
134, 136, 140, 148, 159, 175, 178, 193, 
194, 201, 208, 249, 271, 296, 298, 301, 
305. 

Adams, Cortland, 161. 

Adams's Block, built. 199. 

Adams's Mill, 132, 175, 244. 

Adams, Daniel M., 160, 263,304. 

Adams, Geo. M., 160. 

Adams, Henry, 271. 

Adams, James, 38. 

Adams, Hev. James, 252. 

Adams Steamer Co., 194, 259. 

Adams Steamer, 229 ; horses lor, 215. 

Adams, Stephen II., 110. 

Adams, Wm. L., 23, 29, 234. 

Adams' Zouaves, 232, 262. 

Adams's Island. See Van Schaick' s Is- 
land. 

Agiin. John, 161. 

Aiken, David, 297. 

Aiken, W. H., 261. 

Aitkin, James, 260, 263. 

Alaska Knitting Co., 198. 

Albany Pin Co., 127, 142. 

Albany water supply, 129. 

Alcombrack family, 45. 

Alcombrack, Jacob, 161. 

Aldeu & Frink, 153. 

Aid n. Prink & Bingham, 131, 133, 1.34, 
174. 

Alden, Frink & Weston, 175, 176, 190, 
191. 

Albion, James, 160. 

Alden, Sidney, 85, 131, 132, 141, 148, 298. 

Alden Hose Co., 259. 

Alexander, Andrew, 88. 

Alexander, Benj. M., 287. 

Alexander, Bradley, 295. 

Allen, Canij)bell, 113. 

Allen, Lester, 116. 

Allen, Rev. Mr., 253. 

Almy, Joseph, Jr., 141, 286. 

Alston, William, 160. 



American Hosiery Mill. See Smith, 
Gregory <& Co., Qrecjory & Uiller. 

Andrse, Michael, 161, 263. 

Andrews, Cautain, 54, 58. 

Anthony, Israel, 40, 54. 

Anthony, Jacob, 69. 

Archer, G. It., 137. 

Ardron, Richard, 290. 

Archambault, Joseph, 292. 

Armitage, Rev. Thos., 253. 

Arnold, Collins, 206, 247. 

Arnold, Jonathan D., 160. 

Artesian well, 211. 

Arthur, Alex., 303. 

Arthur, Wm. Jr., 141, 160. 

Ashdown, Arthur, 161. 

Ashworth, Henry, 283. 

Assemblymen, from Cohoes, 305. 

Atheson, Jos., 283. 

Atkinson, John H., 303, 228. 

Atlantic Mill, 192, 212, 244. 

Atridge, Thomas C, 16. 

Alridge, Timothy, 294. 

Atridge, Timothy, Jr., 301, 303. 

Attorney of city, 227, 230. 

Atwood, Joseph, 281. 

Augsburg, David. 160. 

Authier Bros., 238, 249. 

Auringer, Isaac, 155. 

Austin, Geo., 161. 

Axe factories, production of, 1847, 87 ; 
enlarged, 115; statistics of, 1876, 
245. 

Axe factory, 119, 120, 128, 146, 175, 176, 
307 ; burned, 322, 227, 228 ; estab- 
lished, 64, 76, 2.35. 

Ayres, Alexis, 83, 99. 

Ayres, Edward, 280. 

Ayres, Isaac D., 98, 99, 287. 

Babcock, Rev. Theodore, 252. 

Badgley, Philip, 368. 

Bagley, William, 161. 

Bailey, Gustavus, 181. 

Bailey, Joshua, 61, 62, 63, 72, 113, 115, 

119, 120, 127, 128, 129, 134, 148, 161, 

290, 301. 
Bailey, Joshua, Sen., 270. 
Bailey M'fg Co., 115, 119. 
Bailey, Milton, 271. 
Bailey, Timotiiy, 61, 62, 63, 72, 78, 80, 

87, 104, 133. 
Baker, A. S., 248. 
Baker, Chas. H., 161. 
Baker, John, 53, 65, 82, 120, 1.37, 142, 299. 
Baker, John A., 161. 
Baldwin, Samuel, 53, 57, 82. 



308 



Index. 



Baldwin & Baker, 82. 

Ball, Daniel, 375. 

Ball, Jerome, 161. 

Ball, Malachi, 98, 114, 156, 195, 297, 300, 

304. 
Ballard, A. J., 296. 
Ballard, John, 194. 
Ballard, Joseph E., 285. 
Ballentyne, Wm., 285. 
Bank of Cohoes, 140, 249. 
Bank, The Manufacturers', established, 

209. 
Bannon, James, 161. 
Baptist church, damasred, 229 ; enlarged, 

213; history of, 2.52 ; organized, 72; 

built, 93 ; parsonage of, 199 ; re- 
built, 115, 116. 
Baptist German church, 254. 
Barber, C. P., 128, 132. 
Barber, Rev. C, 253. 
Barber & Leckie, 128. 
Barclay, James, 272. 
Barclay, Thos., 288. 
Barker, Palvin, 38,50. 
Barlow, Samuel, 161. 
Bamerick. Wm., 302. 
Bartlett, Ebenezer, 72. 
Barrett, Edward, 303, 305. 
Barrett, Edward S., 162. 
Barrett, John, 162. 
Barrett, Wm. B., 98. 
Barrie, James, 260. 
Barter, James, 259. 
Barton, Robert, 291. 
Base-ball club, 141. 
Basin, A., 76 ; constructed, 58, 63 ; B., 

constructed, 58. 
Bassett, Rev. J., 33. 
Bat factory burned, 105, 222. 
Battin, J., 119. 
Baxter, Wm., 120. 
Bayard, Augustus Willard, 161. 
Bayard, Wm.H.,282. 
Beach, Josiah H., 72. 
Bean, Wm., 248. 
Beaver, Lawrence, 162. 
Becker, Arthur T., 127, 141, 17.5, 194. 
Becker, S. A., 64, 145, 148, 157, 245. 
Bedell, Moses, 122. 
Bedford, Henry, 156. 
Bedstead factory, 75, 80, 87, 93, 120, 124, 

137, 142, 246. 
Beecher family, 43. 
Beeman, Wm., 297. 
Bell, Alexander, 280. 
Belville, John, 290. 
Bemis, Luke, 81. 88, 91, 92, 97, 100. 
Bender, C. W., 127. 
Benedict, Rev. T., 253. 
Benedict, Wm. K., 1.39, 156, 264, 302, 

303. 
Bennett, John, 161. 
Bennett, Lyman, 190. 
Bennett, Napoleon, 161. 
Benson, Chas. L., 383. 
Benson, Ebenezer, 284. 
Benson, Egbert C, 161. 
Benson, Nathan L., 296, 298. 
Bentley, A. C, 69. 
Bentley, Chas., 161. 
Benton, Buckley T., 212. 



Bezner, Herman, 204, 218, 224. 

Bilbrough, Samuel, 120, 190,244. 

Bilbrough, Sam'l & Dubuque, 223. 

Billings, Dr. Geo. H., 141, 260, 303, 305. 

Billings, H. C, 92, 104. 

Bills & Sage, 147. 

Bindewald, William, 291. 

Bingham, Rev. A. J., 159, 353, 257, 281. 

Bingham, Willard, 1.31. 

Binns, Wm., 296. 

Birdseye, Chas. C, 241. 

Biscornette, John, 155. 

Biscornette, Jos., 284. 

Bissehof. Jacob, 155. 

Black. G'. G., 361. 

Blair, Frederick, 161. 

Blair, John, 133. 

Blake. Dr., 274. 

Blake & Sons, 146. 

Blakely, Chas. H., 271. 

Blakely. Guy. 288, 300. 

Blakely, W. I., 156. 

Blanchard, Rev. Hiram, 254. 

Blinn, Rev. H. G., 2.53. 

Blower, Joshua, 52. 

Blum, William H., 161. 

Board of Health, appointed, 104. 

Boai d of Trade, proposed, 217. 

Boat Club, Cohoes, 264. 

Bobbin factory, 120, 128, 137, 143. 

Bogardus, Rev. C, 33. 

Boght, the, 15, 17; church, .32, 3.3, 39; 

road, 225. See also Ma)wr avenue. 
Bogue, li. S., 133, 143, 143, 148, 178, 

182, 190, 208, 216, 226, 296, 297, 304. 
Boley, Thomas, 268. 
Bonce, John G., 49, 121. 
Bonding the city, 225. 
Boomhower, Edward, 156. 
Booth, Joseph, 155. 
Bordwell, Allen, 276. 
Bortell, H., 144. 
Bortell, Wm. H.,107. 
Boss, Chas., 161. 
Bolton, Richard, 255. 
Bouchard, Frank, 162. 
Boucher, Geo., 161. 
Boudrias, Dr. Louis, 263, 293. 
Boudrias, Dr. William, 293. 
Boulevard bill, 208. 
Bowler, Michael, 298, 300. 
Bowler, Robert, 156. 
Bowler, William, 294. 
Bradford, Geo. S., 78. 
Hradley, Wm. J., 188. 
Bradshaw, Geo., 161. 
Brady, John, 298. 
BmuU, Alfred, .303. 
Bray, Geo., 43. 
Bray, Joseph, 161. 
Bray, William, 161. 
Breen, Michael, 304, 305. 
Brennan, Dennis, ]61. 
Brennan, Edward, 280, 299. 
Brenuan, Martin, 302. 
Brennan, Michael, 291. 
Brewery, built, 173. 
Bricks, first made, 61 ; manufacture, 

247. 
Bridge on Johnston ave., 236 ; at White 

street, 191 ; to Lansiugburg, 234 ; 



Index. 



309 



Bridge, to Van Schaick's Island, 210, 
234; Waterford, completed, 210 ; to 
Waterford, 39, 45; the first built, 
33 ; described, 34 ; laws coucernlng, 
35, 36; burned, 207; rebuilt, 49, 121, 
122. 
Bridges, repairs of, 108, 109. 
Bridgeford. John. 182. 
Brieriy, John, 161, 275. 
Briganiuel, Fred., 156. 
Briggs, R.T..82. 
Brigham, Origen S., 96. 

Brockway, Geo. E., 161. 

Brockway, Henry, 143, 148, 159, 178, 194, 
•,'17, 231, 244, 298, 299, 301 . 

Brodt, Weslev, 161, 275. 

Bronk, Rev. Robt., 33. 

Brooks, Geo., 192. 

Brooks, Henry, 272. 

Brooks, Jno. W., 262. 

Brooks, Thomas. 192, 272. 

Brooks, William, 161, 271. 

Brooks, Wm. R., 255. 

Brower, Geo., 161. 

Brown, Albert M., 156, 161. 

Brown, Alex., 302, .303, 305. 

Brown, B'rank, 304. 

Brown, Henry, 114. 

Brown, J., 302. 

Brown, Jas., 128, 288. 

Brown, Jenks, 128, 1.35, 140, 146, 273, 
296, 297. 

Brown, John, 70. 

Brown, Jno. Crosby, 241. 

Brown, Joseph M., 93, 98, 106, 110, 113, 
296, 300. " 

Brown, Peter A., 161, 289. 

Brown, Rev. J. H. H., 188, 205, 228. 252. 

Brown, Rev. W. R., 253. 

Brown, Thomas, 271. 

Brown, Thos. V., 300. 

Browne, Andrew M., 263. 

Brownson, Jno. M., 88, 90, 30a 

Bryan, Hugh, 101. 

Bryan, John, 155. 

Bryant, A. C, 273, 297. 

Buckley, Edward, 263. 

Buckley, James, 161. 

Buchanan, Geo., 161. 

Buchanan, John, 263. 

Buchanan, John C, 161. 

Buchanan, William, 161, 181, 280, 285. 

Buildings, statistics of, 1.34. 

Bulletin. See Cohoes Daily B. 

Bullions, Kev. A. B , 180, 257. 

Bullock, Edward, 1.56, 278. 

Bullock, John I?., 1.32, 273, 297. 

Bullock, Joseph, 212. 

Bulson, Geo., 161. 

Bulson, John, 292. 

Bump, Alonzo, 162. 

Buregard, Oliver, 161. 

Burger, Rev. David J., 252. 

Burke. Michael J., 304. 

Burke, Patrick. 291. 

Burnap. John G., 84. 

Burns, James, 290, .303. 

Burton, Wm.. 80, 85, 87, 113, 120, 128, 
131, 132, 148, 152. 153, 173, 182, 209, 
295, 296, 300. 301. 

Bush, Lewis, 161. 



Bush, Rev. Stephen. 126, 253. 
Buss, Ralph, 295, 296. 
Butt factory, 81. 

Cady, D., 203, 248. 

Cady, Peter V., 162. 

CaflVey, James, 202. 

Cahlll, Henry, 286. 

Cahlll, Hugh, .304. 

Cahill, James, 162. 

Cahlll, John, 155. 

Cain, John, 162. 

Caisse, Joseph, 162. 

Calkins, A. T., 1.53, 159, 162, 262, 298, 302. 

Calkins, R. S., 299. 

Camera obscm-a, 219. 

Cameron, Rev. M., 252. 

Campbell, Geo., 175, 194, 210, 244, 301, 

303. 
Campbell Hose Co., 259. 
Campbell, James M., 289. 
Campbell, John, 263, 284. 
Campbell, Robert, 255. 
Campbell & Clute, 175, 246. 
Campbell & Chile's Block, 219. 
Canal boat, first, 266 ; first to pass 

through, 42. 
Canal enlargement, 68, 73, 76; the Erie, 

52. 
Canal street. See Main street. 
Canals, construction of, 41, 42, 265; 

courses of, 43, 44, 
Candly, Samuel. 156. 
Cane, Patrick, 156. 
Cannon, Chas. T.. 278. 
Cannon, P. J., 262 
Canvass street, 116. 
Carhart, Rev. J. W.,253. 
Ciirleton, Chas. M., 137. 
Carpenter, Albert F., 162. 
Carpenter, Asahel, 292. 
Carpenter, Edwd. S., 303, 
Carpenter, Lorenzo, 163. 
Carpenter, Philip H., 162. 
Carpenter, William G., 162. 
Carpet factory, 59. 
Carr, Albert, 156. 
Carr, T., 162. 
Carrigan, Geo., 235. 
Carroll, John C, 162,279. 
Carroll. Wm. C, 297. 
Carter, Chas. T., 118. 288, 300. 
Carter, Charles W., 290. 
Carter, Dr. Wm. F.. 104, 111, 113, 119, 

129, 140, 144, 157, 178, 189, 379, 295, 

296, 998, 301. 
Carter, Geo. T., 260, 303, 304. 
Carter, Isaac S., 281. 
Carter, John, 176, .305. 
Carter, Michael, 1.56. 
Carter, Thomas, 293. 
Carter, T. C . 121, 281, 288, 293, 296. 
Cartwright, Thuinas, 134. 
Gary, Leonard, 107, 222, 297, 302, .303. 
Casey, Peter, 390. 
Casey, Thos. B., 162. 
Cassidy, John, 1.55. 
Cataract Alley, 103. 

Cataract engine, 104; purchased, 97; 
company for, 98, 259 ; house built 
for, 99. 



310 



Index. 



Cataract House, 4, 177. 

Catholic church. See St. Bernard's 

church. 
Cavan, Washington, 54. 
Cavanangh, John, 209. 
Cavenaugh, Edward, 290. 
Cavenagh, John V., ItiS. 
Cauldwell, M. O., 204. 
Caw, Wm. G., 84, 87, 108, 112, 113, 121, 

140, 148, 152, 157, 178, 253, 277, 295, 
297, .301. 

Caw & Quaclienbush Block, 92. 

Cedar street, 204. 

Cement Mill. See Lime. 

Cemetery, presented to village, 122, 123. 

Census of 1855, 125; of 1860, 147; of 

1865, 183; of 1870, 205; tables of, 

264. 
Centennial celebration, 229. 
Central avenue, 219, 226. 
Chad wick Guards. See Third Sep. Co. 
Chadwick, Joseph, 133, 130, 153, 159, 

141, 162, 163, 175, 192, 244, 261, 297. 
Chadwick, P. R., 149, 152, 162, 175, 210, 

217, 244, 262. 
Chadwick, Win. N., 26, 81, 93, 95, 97, 

101, 111, 113, 128, 148, 175,240, 244, 

296. 
Chamberlain, 205 ; dispute in i-egard to, 

221 ; powers of, 230. 
Chamberlin, Rev. Mr., 72,253. 
Chambers, John, 162. 
Charter, a city, proposed, 178 ; amended, 

112, 125, 205, 209, 227, 230 ; for city, 

passed, 197; of village drawn, 95. 
Chesebro, I. W., 142, 150, 250. 
Chicago fire, relief for sufferers by, 208. 
Childs, John, 156. 
Cholera, in 1832, 59 ; in 1849, 104. 
Chi-istie, James, 162. 
Christie, Robt. Jr., 240. 
Christie, Rich'd D., 260, 261. 
Chubb, Hiram, 285. 
Churches, organized, 32, 41, 56, 71, 72, 

91, 196, 224, 254; built, 60, 73. 91, 

101, 116, 141, 176, 189, 196, 205, 224; 

improvements in, 145, 199, 213; 

damaged, 229 ; history of, 252-255. 
Cider mill, 196. 
Clafley, Wm., 155. 
Clark, Alvin, 156. 
Clark, Asa, 142. 
Clark, Bayard, 26. 
Clark, J. B„162. 
Clark, James, 299. 
Clark, Jas.W., 261. 
Clark, John. 281. 
Clark, John, Jr.. 285. 
Clark, Joseph, 162. 
Clark, Otis G., 190, 216, 244. 
Clark, Rev. Orange, 56, 253. 
Clark, Richard, 217. 392, 299. 
Clarke, Benj. F.. 298. 
Clarke, Dr. O. H. B., 263. 
Clarke, Joshua R., 53, 57. 59, 65, 67 80, 

88, 96,101, 111, 113, 120,140, 148,' 216, 

295, i97. 300, 303. 
Clancy & Co , 192. 
Claxton block, 106. 

Claxton, Col. F. S., 92, 100, 104, 129, 241. 
Cleacham, Robt., 155. 



Clements, Wm. J., 271. 

Clerk of city, 230. 

Clifton Company, 127. 

Cline, William H., 162. 

Clinton, Gov., 265. 

Clough, Edwin, 3U4. 

Clough, Wm., 260, 263, 302. 

Clow, Philip L , 280. 

Clute, Abram D., 279. 

Chite, Adam, 162. 

Clute, D. H., 235. 

Clute, E. J., 262. 

Clute family. 8, 22; farm, 18, 29. 

Clute, Gerardus, .33. 

Clute, Gerrett, 30, 31, .33, 40. 

Clute, Harvey, 298, 299. 

Clute, Hiram, 153. 162, 374. 

Clute, Isaac, 179, 247. 

Clute, Jeremiah, 91, 95, 113, 134, 137, 
396. 

Clute, John, 155, 175, 194, 317, 346, 301. 

Clute. Nicholas J.. 310. 

Coakley, John, 288, 

Cockroit, Wm., 82. 

Cohoes, derivation of name of, 1 ; man- 
ner of spelling, 251 ; settlement of, 
15, 18; in 1813, described, 39; in 
1824, 45, 46: in 1831, 53-56; 1836, 
66; 1847, 85; incorporated as a 
village, 94, 95, 96 ; incorporated as 
a city, 197 ; movement to incorpo- 
rate, 178 : to be part of the city of 
Waterviiet, 192; charter of, amend- 
ed, 112,205, 209, 227,230; statistics 
of, 200, 264 ; officers of, 29,5-305 ; cen- 
sus of, 125, 147, 183, 205, 264; farms - 
and farm houses in, 18-29 ; bonding 
of city proposed, 225; history of, 
published, 199, 313; first directory 
of, 193: first election, as aciiy, 201; 
expenses of, in 1849,103; war re- 
cord of, 148-172. 

Cohoes Falls, 45, 48; early accounts 
of, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 ; di- 
mensions of, 4, 12; pictures of, 10, 
12 : described, 39. 
Hospital, 209. 
Hotel, 59. 69, 85. 
House, 43, 54. 

Iron foundery. See Foundery. 
Manufacturing Co., 37, 38, 39, 46, 

50, 65. 
Savings Institution. S^e Savings 

Inst. 
& Troy Rail Road, 88, 89, 114. 

Cohoes Company, 28. 29, 37, 50, 65, 100, 
101, 12.3, 131, 143, 215. 266 ; canal of, 
68, 69 ; dam of, 73, 182 ; disputes of, 
with village, 108, 109; foundation 
of, 47, 48; first operations of, 51, 
52, 58, 63 ; sketch of, 238-241 ; works 
of, 66, 76, 239, 240; water supply 
from, 130. 195. 
Cohoes Advertiser, the, described, 83, 

84, 85. 
Cohoes Cataract, the, established, 102; 
sketch of, 248, 349; discontinued, 
180. 
Cohoes Daily Bulletin, 228. 
Cohoes Daily News, established, 217; 
sketch of, 249. 



Index. 



311 



Cohoes Democrat, established, 185; 

sketch of, 248. 
Cohoes Journal, 99. 
Cohoes Weekly Democrat, established, 

203. 
Cole, Aaron, 163. 
Cole, Abram V., 262. 
Cole, George, 162. 
Cole, James, 162, 277. 
Cole, Lorenzo S., 262. 
Cole, Octavins, 2T3. 
Coleman, James, 301. 
Coleman, John, 163, 303. 304, 305. 
Coleman, Joseph, 163, 301, 302. 
Coleman, Morris, 163. 
Coleman, Silas B., 162. 
Coleman, Thos., 163, 244. 
Colgrove, David, 155. 
Colgrove, John B , 81. 
Collier, Thomas, 293. 
Collier, William, 162. 
Collins, George Z., 143. 
Collins, L. D., 193. 
Collins, Michael J., 287. 
Collins, T. C, 261. 
Collin and Jones, 41. 
Columbia street, 44, 55, 219, 225. 
Colwell, Thos., 179, 212, 216, 245. 
Commissioners of Deeds, 205. 
Common Council, first, meeting of, 201 ; 

powers of, 205, 227. 
Condley, John H., .303, 304. 
Coudrou, James, 162. 
Condron, William, 162. 
Congressman from Cohoes, 305. 
Conley, John, 155. 
Couliss, Wm., 151, 156, 159, 176. 
Conliss & Carter, 176; mill of, burned, 

180. 
Connaughty, Edward, 292. 
Connaughty, Mr., 91. 
Conno-ly, James, 162. 
Connolly, Samuel, 162 
Connors, John, 162, 290. 
Constables, 227. 
Constant, .Joseph D., 67. 
Conway, Eugene, 304. 
Cook, Alfred, 61. 
Cook, Alanson, 72. 
Cook, Geo. W., 250. 
Cook, Samuel, 74. 
C'ooley. John, 305. 
Coon, John M., 85. 
Cope, William, 162. 
Copeland, John, 291. 
Corcoran, J., 162. 
Corwin, Kev.D., 2.53. 
Costello, Joseph, 162. 
Cotton factory, 41, 45,46,47; of E. L. 

Miller, 59 ; of Harmony M'fg Co., 

67. 
Cotton flax mill, 120. 
Cotton mills, condition of, in 1857, 134 ; 

erected, 80, 81 ; production of, 81 ; 

statistics of, in 1847, 86 ; in 1853, 

119 ; in 1855, 128. See also Harmomj, 

Strong & OgUen Mills. 
Court room, built, 107. 
Covency, Benj., 260, 361, 303. 
Cowdeu, Geo., 162. 
Co wee, David, 176, 244. 



Cos, Andrew, 162, 300. 

Coyle, Nicholas, 105. 

Craig, Chas. P., 198, 263. 

Craig, F. B., 162. 

Craig, William, 162. 

Craley, Jacob, 2.54. 

Cramer, John, 101. 

Crandall, Burton H., 162, 305. 

Cranston, James L. N., 155, 162, 289. 

Cranston, Wm. H., 162, 275. 

Crapo, Amos, 304. 

Crane, J. H., 116. 

Crane, Jonn S.. 155, 299, 300, 304. 

Crane, W. S., 302. 

Crescent, water supply from 131, 195 ; 

road to. 225, 229. 
Crawford, J. F., 131, 144, 174, 178, 219, 

297,301. .305. 
Crawford, Kev, E., 71, 253. 
Crawford, William N., 290. 
Crocker, M. L.,69. 
Orookley, Thomas, 284. 
Cropsey, Gabriel M., 147,292. 
Crosby, Clarkson F., 240. 
Crossley, Kobert, 162. 
Crossingham, Jas. H., 262. 
Crowley, John, 305. 
Crowner family, 43, 54. 
Cullen, Rev. Thos., 254. 
Cummings, Geo., 298. 
Cummings, Michael, 303. 
Curtis, A. G., 212. 
Curtis, Joseph, 50. 
Curtis, Robert, 81. 
Cushman, John P., 27. 

Dailey, Jeremiah A., 163. 

Daily Eagle, the, 228. 

Daily News. See Cohoes Daily News. 

Daley, Dennis, 163, 303. 

Daley, Geo. C, 305. 

Daley, John, 163. 

Daley, Michael, 292. 

Dallas, Thomas, 155. 

Daly, Rev. Thos., 254. 

Dam, of Cohoes Co., 73, 182; built and 

rebuilt, 51, 58. 
Dam, the state, built, 207. 
Damon, Elbridge, 297. 
Damon, John, 156. 
Damon, John E., 283. 
Danaher, Maurice, 163. 
Darrow, David M., 163. 
Davenport, Chas., 163. 
Davenport, Geo., 163. 
Davenport, James, 163. 
Davenport, John, 163. 
Davids, Elias, 155, 
Davis, John, 292. 
Davis, N. B., 287. 
Davis, Thos., 163. 
Daw, Peter P., 107, 250, 292, 300. 
Dawson, Henry, 133, 192, 246. 
Dean, Geo., 261. 
Dearborn, John, 114. 
Deocher, Jas., 305. 
De Graft", Joseph, 292. 
De Haas' patent, 15. 
Delahanty, Joseph, 194. 
Dclanoy, W., 254. 
Delany, .John, 163. 



312 



Index. 



Delve, James, 181, 263, 297. 
Demarest, Rev. John, 32, 33. 
Demarest, Win. C, .305. 
DeMilt, B. & S., 41, 50. 
Democrat. See Cohoes Democrat. 
Denio, Heury, 163. 
Dennis, Nicholas, 163. 
Dennin. Patrick, 290. 
Derby, William, 163. 

Deroche, , 163. 

Deroche, James, 163. 

Derocher, Joseph, 292. 

Deuel, George. 163. 

Dewar, Wm., 259. 

Deyo, Abner, 300. 

Deyo, Marcus S., 98. 

Diamond Mill, 244. 

Dickey, James R., 279. 

Dickey, Heury D., 305. 

Dickey, Wm.," 140, 272, 295. 

Dickson, John M., 289. 

Diehl, Geo., 163, 277. 

Dictz, Sidney, 156. 

Dietz, Stephen, 163, 296. 

Dillon, James, 289. 

Directory, published, 193. 

Dixon, A. K , 302,303,304. 

Dixon, Geo., 255, 298. 

Dockstader, Geo. Z.. 69, 302. 

Dodge, Jacob, 82, 85, 87. 

Dodge, James, 268. 

Dodge, Joseph C, 163, 300. 

Dodge, Levi, 14.3,175, 204. 

Dodge, Stephen, 296. 

Dodge, Wm., 71. 

Dodge, Wm. T., 1.39, 301, 302. 

Donahue, William, 163. 

Doncaster & Hay, 102. 

Donnelly, Catherine, 176. 

Donovan, Michael. 90, 163, 296. 

Doolittle. Lucius, 290. 

Doran, John, 305. 

Dorr, David, 163. 

Dolter, Solomon. 301, 302, 

Doty, Stephen, 360. 

Doty, Wm. H., OS, .302. 

Dougherty, James. 304. 

Dovvd, Luman, 109. 

Dowd, Patrick, 163. 

Downey, Margaret, 176. 

Downing, Michael, 163. 

Downs, John. 272, 290. 

Doyle, Chas. F., 163, 231, 281. 

Doyle, Geo. H., 163. 

Doyle, John, 114, 156, 157, 290, 300. 

Doyle, M., 163. 

Doyle, Mrs. Sarah, 74. 

Draft in 1862, 151, 152 ; iu 1863, 154. 

Driscoll, James, 286. 

DriscoU, Simon P., 163. 

Drysdale, Geo., 163. 

Drysdale, John, 163, 285, 299. 

Dubois, Henry, 113. 

Dubois, Rev. "John, 33. 

Dubuque, L. R.,179, 223. 

Ducharme, Geo., 302. 

Dudley, Chas. E., 48. 

Dudley, Henry, C7. 

Dumell, Allred, 16.3. 

Duncan, Rev. John, 72, 252. 

Duncan, Thos., 192. 



Dunlap, John, 254. 
Dunn, Edward, 163. 
Dunn, Thos., 163. 
Dunsback, Henry I., 204. 
Duquette, Moses, 294. 
Durham, Henry, 163. 
Durham, James, 16.3, 275. 
Durrant, James, 261, 291. 
Dutemple, Wm., 296, 297. 
Dwyer, Rev. E., 252. 

Eagan, Kyran, 156, 164. 

Eagan, William R , 290. 

Bastham, Henry, 164. 

Eastham, Thos., 163, 277. 

Eastwood, J., 114. 

Eastwood, John, 98, 272, 296, 300. 

Eastwood, John H., 164. 

Eastwood, John Jr., 280. 

Eastwood, Justus, 293. 300. 

Eastwood, Rev. J., 252. 

Eastwood, William H., 289. 

Ebah, John, 164, 278. 

Eccles, Francis T., 163. 

Eccles, J., 126. 

Eccles, Joseph, 260. 

Eccles, Samuel P., 163. 

Edwards, Heury W., 246. 

Edwards, Rev. "Edw'd P., 253. 

Egan, Chas., .302, 303. 

Egan, John, 262. 

Egan, John H , 303, 305. 

Egan, Owen, 164. 

Egberts, Egbert, 61, 62, 63, 91, 95, 97, 

101, 104, 110, 111, 113, 115, 119, 123, 

127, 128, 140, 145, 148, 152, 180, 249, 

252. 282, 296. 
Egberts & Bailey, 62, 74, 86, 91, 100; 

block, 106; dissolved, 115; factory 

of, 77, 79. 
Egberts Hall opened, 138. 
Egberts Institute, 255 ; established, 

180 ; teachers of, 257. 
Egnesperry, Francis, 164. 
Election districts changed, 136. 
Election, first under city charter, 201 ; 

first under village charter, 96. 
Ellis, Elisha, 164. 
Ellison, Robert, 164. 
Ellmaker, Augustus, 201, 299. 
Elmore, J. C, 1.33. 
Emerson. Rev. Oliver, 253. 
Empire Mill, 174, 182, 196, 244 ; built,142. 
Empire Pin Co., 127, 207. 
Empire Tube Works, 212, 246 ; enlarged, 

235. 
En Earl, Henry Jr., 88, 91. 
En Earl, Henry Sr., 43, 49, 54, 287, 295. 
En Earl, John H., 164. 
En Earl,MeiTitD.. 164. 
En Earl, N. W., 296, 298. 
Engineer of city, 227, 230. 
Engine houses built, 99, 114, 199, 259. 
Englestofl; John, 293. 
English, Michael, 305. 
English, Patrick, 303. 
Enlistments of soldiers, 149, 150, 156, 

157. 
Enos, W. C, 13.3. 
Enos, William, 292. 
Ensign, H. A., 164. 



Index. 



313 



k 



Ensign's Will. 41. 

Enterprise Mill. 218, 244. 

Episcopal clmicli. Sue ■st. John's church. 

Erie jAlill, 1S2, 190, 244; burned, 211; 

rebuilt. 218. 
Evans, Joel, 1(14. 
Evans, Hev. C. P., 257. 
Evers. William. 291. 
Everts. J. D.. 1(14. 
Excelsior Fire Engine, 90, 97, 93. 

Fabyan. H. G., 1C4. 

Kairbank, David, 1(14. 

Fairbaiili, J. W., 1(14. 

Fairbaiik, Sherman D., C3, 98, 133, 175, 

276, 297. 
Fairehild, Anthony, 263. 
Falardo, Daniel, l()4. 
Falardo, Dennis L., 164. 
Falardo, John, 164. 
Kiilardo. Joseph. & De Villicrs, 105. 
Falardo, Loni-, 289. 
Falardo, Onesime, 164. 
Fallon, Michael, 289. 
Fallon, Peter, 164. 
Farmhouses, locn;iou of, lS-29. 
Farmilo, Henry. 254. 
Farms, boinidaries of. 24 to 29. 
Farnam, F. W., 84, 93, 100, 115. 
P\irrell, Kdwartl, 164. 
Farrell, John, 293. 
Farrcll, Matt. 164. 
Farrelly, Michael, 274. 
Farthiny:. F. E., 1(54. 
Faulkner's tavern, 53. 
Fay, Patrick, 155. 
Featherstouhaujih, Dr. J. D., 209, 203, 

303. 
Felihouscn, Herman D., 98. 
Ferguson, Aarou L , 93, 114, 273. 
Fer'.'uson, Chas. F., 271. 
Ferguson, Gen. N., 29(). 
Ferguson, V. B., 140, 300. 
Ferguson. Wm., 164, 283, 292. 
Fero, David, 32. 
Fero, Peter & Ifenry, 29. 
Terrell, Wm., 98. 296. 
Ferris, Harvey, 300. 
Fielding. John, 290. 
Filih ward bill. 227. 
Finney, Oscar O.. 69, 280. 
Finlay, Charles, 164. 
Finlay, John, 164. 
Finnigan, James, 156. 
Fire alarm telegraph, proposed. 

Fire. Ill post office, 84; at Cliitc Paint 
Mill, 91 ; at T. Uailey's Mill, 104; in 
Strong Mill. 123; in Harmony Mill, 
1.36; in Wilkinson Machine Shop, 
137 ; ai horse car barn, 184 ; at Erie 
Mill, 2i4; at Stark Mill, 214, at 
Harmonv Mills, 173; at Dniton's 
Mill, 17.3; at Paper Mill. 173; at 
Hnrsl's Mill, 176; at old Jnnction, 
178; at Con lissA Outer's Mill, 178; 
nt \an Rensselaer llonse, 104. 11'5; 
at Ten Eyck Axe Factory. 222; at 
Root's Mill, 222; at Weed & 
Becker's. 227. 

Fire ccjmmissiouers, 227. 

40 



Fire Department. 113; organized, 96, 
97.98; chief engineers of. .300: im- 
provements in, 181, 182,194; sketch 
of, 258, 2o9. 

Fisher, Horace. 198. 212. 

Fitts. Lncien. 98, 295, 296. 

Fitz Gerald, Edward, 200. 

Fitz Gerald, Lawrence, 1,56. 

Fitz Gerald, Maurice, 3114. 

Fitz Patrick, Daniel, 164, 290, 298. 

Fitz Patrick, Frank, 291. 

Filz Patrick, John, 302. 

Fitz Patrick, Martin, 290. 

Filz Piitrick, Matthew, 123, 272, 295. 
297, 304. 

Fitz Patrick, Pev. J., 288. 

Flag raisings, 149. 

Flannigai), Dennis, 57. 

Flannigan, tidward, 262. 

Flannigan I'amily, 43. 

Flannigan, Geo., ](J4. 

Flannigan, Jolin, 1(J4. 

Flannigan. Thomas B., 291. 

Fletcher, Isaac F., 54, 131, 164, 260, 270, 
295, 296, 297. 

Fletcher, Isaac V.. 141. 

Fletcher, Leonard G., 164, 274. 

Fletcher, Thos., 164. 

Fletcher, Willi.-im, 104, 292. 

Flint, Rev. F. W., ISO. 

Flour Mill, 75, 124, 146, 147. 247. 

FIvnn. John, 164, 275, 

Fogarty, William, 293. 

Foley, Edward. 194. 

Foley, John, 299. 

Foley, Peter. 290. 

Fonda, Abraliam D., 32. 

Fonda, Abram II., .305. 

Fonda, Col. D.w, 281. 

Fonda, Cornelius V., 271. 

Fonda, Donw, 22. 

Fonda, Douw A , 29, 122. 

Fonda, E. Raymond, 164, 277. 

Fonda familv, 17. 18, 29, 32. 

Fonda, Frank. 303. 305. 

Fonda, Geo. F., 164. 

Fonda, Gilbert M.. 104. 

Fonda, Isaac, 32. 273. 

Fonda, Isaac J., 3U. 

Fonda, Jacob D.,26. 29. 

Fonda. Jesse, 33. 

Fonda, Laurence S., 97, 295. 

Fonda, Wm.. 1.5:.. 

Foote, Wm.. 1137. 

Forbes, John, 286. 

Forbes, Peter, 278. 

Forem.in, John, 285. 

Ford, John \V., 303, .304, 305. 

Forrest, Dr. J. B.. 287. 

Forrester. L. G.. 279. 

Fort family, 12, 17. 

Forth's tavern, 12. 

Forward, John. 104. 

Foster. E. H., 217, 262. 

Foster, James (i., 85. 

Foster, S imuel II.. 81, 87, 83, 101, 113, 
281, 296, 297, 299, COO. 

Foster, Wm., 164. 

Foundery, established, 64, 199; tho 
Cohoes. 87. 120; removed, 192. 

Fouutain, ThcopUilus" 150. 



314 



Index. 



Fourth of July celebration, appropria- 
tion for, 230; accomit of, 232; of 
1850, 109, 110 ; of 1865, 159. 

Fowler, Newton, 282. 

Fowler, Ralpli, 1()4. 

Fowler, Thos., 115, 119, 127. 

Fowler, T. S., 104. 

Fox. Joseph, .38. 

Fox, Rev. Robert, 253. 

Franklin, Ben)., 98. 

Frazier, P.. 104. 

Freeman, Wm. L., 98. 

I' rench church . See Sf. Joseph's church. 

French, John G., 2.58. 

Frink, Alex., 295, 296. 297, .300, 302. 

Frink, Alexander H., 155, 277. 

Frink. John W., 131, 132, 144, 293, 297, 
298, 299, 301. 

Frink, Spencer, 299. 

Frisby, Robert VV., 164, 275. 

Frost, .lames. 164. 

Frost, Norman W.,164, 178, 210, 217, 249. 

Frost, Robert, 164, 299. 

Frost, Rev. Daniel C, 253. 

Fry, Edwin A., 164. 

Fuller & Safeh , 203. 

Fuller & Safety's building, 192. 

Fuller, Edward W., 69, 70, 88, 113 119, 
120, 133, 135, 148, 193, 250, 296 ; & 11. 
D., 215. 

Fuller, Henry D., 64, 69, 70, 88, 90, 95, 
100,107,110,113,119, 120, 128,129, 
140, 148, 192, 231. 244, 249, 295, 300, 
301, 302, 303; & Hay, 219. 

Fuller, Mr.. 59. 

Pulton, John, 114, 121, 122, 156, 297, 
298. 

Furniture factory, 204, 218, 247. 

Gaffney. Thos., 299. 

Gage, William, 165. 

Gaine, Henry M., 188. 

Game, Paul, 260. 

Galbraith, James, 165, 273. 

Gallapo, Joseph, 165. 

Gallii^jan, Bernard. 259. 

Galvin, John, 156. 

Garfield, Rev. B. F., 2.52. 

Garner, Thomas, 112, 13.5, 211, 280. 

Garner, Thos. Jr.. 282. 

Garner, Wm. T., 240. 241. 

Garrao^han, Owen, 29(1, 301. 

Garrigan, Martin, 209. 

Gas l.iaht Co., organized, 119. 

Ganthier, F., 105.^ 

Gauthicr, .Joseph, 164. 

Gauthier, Peter. 165. 

Gay, AmosR., 968. 

Geer. JohnN.. 268. 

Genoie, J. H., 165. 

German Baptist CMnirch, 2.54. 

Gilbert, Wm. S., 209, 216, 244, 803. 

Gill, E. D., 270. 

Gill, James, 293. 

Gillisrau, F'at'k, 155. 

Gillis, J.. 165. 

Oilman, Chas. O., 304, 305. 

Gilmore. Martin. 260. 

Gilson, Rev. J. B., 252. 

Giard, Alexander, 294. 

Girard, Alexis, 293. 



Gleason, Thos., 302. 

Gledhill. Wm., 285. 

Glines, B. A., 142. 

Globe Mill, 212, 244. 

Goddard, Aaron, 254. 

Goffe, Asahel, 72. 271. 

Gofte, Augustus J., 72, 105, 132, 207. 

Goffe, Demas, 133. 271. 

Golden. Thos., 272, 304. 

Gooch, Thomas, 164, 278. 

Goodfellow, James U., 165. 

Goodrich, Frederick S., 165. 

Good water. Vital, 165. 

Gordon, Vav Olinda, 105. 

Gormley, Robt., 165, 278. 

Goss, Dr. C. F., 84, 110, 271. 

Gould, Alfred, 15.5, 260. 

Gould, David, 260. 

Gould, Joseph, 71, 114. 

Gould, Joseph Jr., 300. 

Gould, Mark H., 288. 

Grand Army of Republic. See PostLyod. 

Grand View Park, 219. 

Granite Hall Block, 92. 

Grant, F. W., 147. 

Grant, H. R., 133, 136, 283, 298, 299. 

Grant, Mrs. H. R., 229,247. 

Grant, Rev. H. L., 253. 

Grass, George, 284. 

Graves, Geo. II., 304. 

Gray, John, 262. 

Gray, Rev. John. 252, 253. 

Greason, Edward. 165, 275. 

Greason, Egbert, 165. 

Greason, George, 263, 291. 

Greason, William, 290. 

Gregory, Alex. M., 182, 291. 

Gregory & Hiller. 223. 

Gregory, C. N., 139. 

Gregory, Chas.. 155. 

Gregory, Dr. O. H., 141, 145. 

Gregory, E. S., 302. 

Gregory, Georire H., 292. 

Gregory, Rev. Dr., 145. 

Gregory, Wm. M., 132; & Hiller, 244. 

Green, Chas., 276. 

Green, Chas. D., 16.5. 

Green, Chas. N., 165, 2.59. 

Green, Elisha T., 289, 296, 297. 

Green, Geo., 165. 

Green, H. J. P., 264. 

Green, John, 165. 

Green, Otis R., 16.5.256. 

Green, Wm., 9S, 285. 

Greer, John, 165, 278. 

Grecnman. L., 137, 192. 

Greenwood, William, 165. 

Grierson, Geo.. 156. 

Griffin, A. J., 93, 137, 142, 178, 217, 246, 

250. 
Griffin, Francis, 67. 
Griffin, Geo. C, 260. 
Griffin, Patrick, 285. 
Griffent)', Thos., 156. 
Grocsbeck, Leonard, 217. 
Groves, James. 272. 
Groves, John, 263. 
Grist Mill, Lansinir's, 29, 45; Clute's, 

30; Heamstreet's, 30. 
Gugerty, Patrick, 134, 189. 
Gmr, Rev. C. D., 253. 



Index, 



315 



Gwynne, Rev. Walker, 252. 
Gwynn, Wm. H., 4, 263. 

Hanirerty, Win. C, 112. 

Habu, Joseph. 08. 

Hart, Richiud P.. 25, 27. 

Halcyon Mill, 128. 132; sold, 175, 191. 

Haley, John, 28(5 

Haley, Joseph, 1G5. 

Haifuioon, .39. 

Hall, Henry, Jr.. 98. 

Hall, Thomas A., 291. 

Hallenbeck, Jacob H., 114. 

Halpui, James, 105. 

Halve Maan oi' Half Moon. 12, 16, 17, 33. 

Hamilton, David, lul. 

Handy, Chas. O., 07. 

Handy, Isaac F.. 165. 

Hanlcy, Patrick, 304. 

Hanson G. W., 106. 

Hardejibrook. Chas. C, 165. 

Hardie, Robert. 257. 

Harmon. A. M., 301, 302. 

Harmony Compmiy, 181,182. See al.so 
Harmony Mills. 

Harmony Hiii. growth of, 133, 242, 190. 

Harmony Hill U. S. S. See Sunday 
Sclioov. 

Harmony M'l'gCo., 57, §1 ; organiza- 
tion of, 67. 68. 

Harmony Mills 119, 146, 194; additions 
to, 179, 183: fire in, 136, 173; con- 
dition in 1857. 134. 135, 136 ; in panic 
of 1873, 220, 221 ; ownership of 
changed, 111 ; No. 2, erected, 1.33; 
No. 3 commenced, 185 ; completed, 
195. 211; statistics of, in 1847, 86; 
in 1860. 190; in 1872, 212, 213; in 
1876, 242. 243 ; sketch of, 241. 243. 
Harmony, Peter, 67. 
Harrington, John W.. 189. 
Harris, E. S. and H. W., 127. 
Harris, James 268. 
Harrison, John, 283. 
Harrison, FohnB., 260, 268, 295. 
Harrison, William, 290. 
Hart, Richard Jr., 165. 
Hartness wooh u mill, 120. 
Hartnett. Daniel Jr., 106. 
Harvey, James, KiO, 276. 
Harvey, Rael, 105. 
Haskiiis, Joseph, 120. 
Hastings, Frank, 233. 264. 
Hastings, Herbert, 139, 165, 277, .300. 
Hastings, Jonathan, 271. 
Hastings, Wm., l,si. 
Hatcher, Tlionias, 165, 261. 
Haver Island, 16. 17. 32. 
Hawes & Baker, 65, 70. 80, 81. 
Hawlev, Rev. C. R., 2.53. 
Hay, Alex., 98. 279. 
Hay, Chas.. 132, 219, 2U, 279, .301. 
Hav, Francis. 166. 

Hay, James. 263. 279, 298, 300, 303, 305. 
Hav, John, 250, 304, 279. 
Hay. John, Jr., V95. 
Hav, John W.. 165. 
Hav. Miller, 301. 

Ilayden, James, 148, 288, 294. 305. 
Hayes, John, 99. 
Ha nes, Dr. J. U., 263. 



Hayward, Charles, 165. 

Hayward, James M., 124,291. 

Hayward, John, 165. 

Hayward, Sheflield, 136, 178, 183, 297. 
299. 

Heady, William, 166. 

Healey, Patrick, 262. 

Healey, Wm., 189, 262. 

Health, Board of, appointed, 104. 

Heamstreet, Albert, 30. 

Heamstreet, Chas., 26, 30, 37, 42. 

Heamstreet, Jacob, 41. 

Heamstreet, John, 45, 55. 

Heamstreet, Richard, 27, 36, 43, 53, 54 
55, 85. 

Heamstreet family, 18, 21, 27. 

Heffern, Christopher, 165. 

Heffern. Edw.ird, 303. 

Helmerick, J., 262. 

Helmerick, Joseph, 165. 

Hemstreet, James, 71, 136. 

Hemphill, Henry, 165. 

Hemphill, James T., 165, 300. 

Hemphill, John, 166. 

Hemphill, Thomas, 166, 290. 

Hemstreet, Russell, 165. 

Henderson, Francis, 136, 148, 296, 297. 

Henderson, John, 296. 

Henry, John, 114. 

Ilenthorn, James, 286. 

Herell, Richard, 254. 

ilerkimer family, 43. 

Hewson, Edward. 165. 

Hibbert, Henry C, 165, 303, 304, 305. 

Hicks, Charles, 291. 

Higgiiis, Geo., 303. 

Hmgins, Michael. 1.55, 165. 

Higdns, Thos.. 262, 263. 

Higley, H. E., 106. 

Hildreth. T. P., 137. 142, 300. 

Hill, Barney, 166. 

Hill, Joseph, 165. 

Hiller. Jonathan, 120, 1.32, 182, 244, 261, 

297, 302, 303. 
Hilton, John, 263. 
Hilzinger, Rev. Henry, 254. 
Himes, Jas. K. P., 166, 278. 
Himes, Jehial W.. 152, 165, 178, 198, 210. 

217 244. 
Himes '& Vail, 198. 
Hines, Patrick, 114. 
Hitclicock, Edwin, 114, 194, 299, 302, 304. 
Hitchcock, Wm. B., 274. 
Hitchcock Hose Co., 259. 
Hitchens, Thomas, 74. 
Hobart, William, 292. 
Hoben, A., 263. 
Hodgson, John, 166. 
Hodgson, Kendall, 166, 260. 
Hodsrson, Lester, 166. 
Hoga'n, Patrick. 258. 
Hogben, William, 289. 
Hogg, Thos., !.5.5. 
Holley, Wm., 276. 
Hollister, D. Cady, 120. 
Hollister, Wm. II., 84, 92, 110, 120, 295. 

298. 
llolloran. Patrick. 292. 
Holmes. John, 263. 
Ilolsapple, r. S., 137, 246, 253. 
Hopkins, John, 165. 



316 



Index. 



Hnran, Cornclins, 302. 

Honiii, John, 28i. 

Hornur, Janu'S, 279. 

Ilorrobiii, Win. T., 192, 199, 210, C4G. 

IloiTocks, John, 212, 2U3, 244, 3U3. 

Horroc'lvs, Samuul, 264. 

Horso Kail Road Co., Cohocs and Troy, 

ini-oip., 173; ro id ol, coniplclid, 

17T ; i-tiblos of, bunit-d, 184; tuits 

against, 184. 
Hor^'u Rail Roads to Watci-ford, 178. 
Hospital, I stablished, 209. 
Hotel, thofirt, 59. 
Uotul, the Cohoi's,59, 85, 215 ; company 

orgauized, 215; proprietorship of, 

G'.t. 
IJonL'hton, Joab, 67, 240. 
Honlihan, C. & St;iuton, 240. 
Honlihiui, Corndins, 1.59, 298, 301. 
Ildtilihan, Jeroniiah, 273. 
Honsc, Geo. A., 204. 
House, Moses, 290, 299. 
House, Rosm J., 105. 
House, Theodore M., 165. 
Ilow.ird, (ieo. W.. 165. 
Howard, T. R..29S. 
Howard, Win. H.. 270. 
Howard i-treet, 185, 226. 
Howarth Engine Co., 232, S59. 
Howanli, (ieo.,290. 
Howarth, Geo. H.. 260. 
Howarth, Henry, 107, 142. 
llowartli, John, 165. 
Howarth, John Wesley, 2£0, 303. 
Howe. E. C, 85. 
Howe, Hezekiah. 5.3. 56, 57, 58, 60, 70, 

75, 101), 250, 269, 287. 
Howe & Ross, 81. S5. 
Howe, Miss E , 152. 
Howe. MissM., 57. 
Howell, Elias, 271. 
Howell, Maitby, 72, 274. 
Howes, Dr. Thoniis C, 293. 
Howes, Geo. M.. 273. 
Hubbard. Murray. 148, 178, 194, 195, 208, 

216, 219, 247, 257, 299. 
Hubbard, Oliver C, 44, 58, 73, 74, 96. 
Hubbell, Chas. L., 281. 
Hude, John, 156. 
Hudson, Benj., IfiG. 
Hudson, Geo. 285. 
Hughes, J. S. & K., 247. 
Hughes, Michael, 165. 
Hume, Geo., 156. 
Hunt, Henry, 155. 
Hurst, Richard, 120, 132, .300. 
Hurst's Mill, burning cf, 176 ; sold, 190. 
Hntchins, i^euj., 114, 271, 293. 
Hutchius, Geo. \V., 286. 

Ilslcy, Stillman, 206. 
Incorporation, as a city, discussed. 190, 
197; movement towards, 94,95,96. 
Indian legends, 4. 5. 
Iiigrahara. Chas. F., 139, 279. 
Irish famine, 90. 
Israel, Wm. P., Jr., 100. 
Ivory, Michael, ISO. 

Jackson, Geo., OS, 297. 
Jacksou, Johu, 133, 106, 268. 



Jackson, Robert, 155. 

Jackson, Siimuel. 156. 

Jackson, Thos., 156. 

Jackson, Wra. B., 166, 279. 

James street, 226. 

Jones, Elisha, 38. 

Jenks, Willard, 69. 

Jenkins, Clias. .M., 128, 240. 

Jerome, Josejih. 166. 

Jenmie, Lonis, 166. 

Johnson, Hugh, 156. 

Jolin?on, J.imes, 194. 

Johnson, John, 156. 

Johnson, J. H., 98. 

Johnson, Michael H., 166, 2£0. 

Johnson, Rev. C. A., 214, 2.53. 

Johnson, Rev. L. S., 214,25.3. 

Johnson, Rev. W'm. M.. 214, 253. 

Johnston avenue, 236, 2:^9. 

Johnston. D. J., 131, 135, 1.39. 14S, 1.53, 

17S, 181, 194, 208. 210. 216, 2-^6. 2-33, 

241, 243, 252, 255, 297, 298. 299, 301, 

803, 304. 
Johnston, E. H., 113, 272. 
Johnston Lodge, 261. 
Johnson, Samiiel W., 166, 241. 
Johnston, Robert, 112. 127, 140, 194, 

209, 217, 243, 250, 290. 
Johnston Steamer Co., 194, 2.32, 259. 
Jones, Hiro & Sontliworth, 84. 
Jones. Isa:ic. 293. 
Jones, M. H., 222. 
Jones, M. H. & Co., 176, 245. 
Jones, Robert, 302, 303. 
Jones, Wm., 288. 
Jones, Wm. F., 155, 194, 303, 304. 
Jones & Ryan, 176. 
Journal des Dame , 228. 
Juher, Adolphus, 156. 
Judge, John, 74. 
Judge, Patrick, 74, 107. 
Jump, Joseph, 166. 
Jump, Joseph E., 166. 
Junction, the, of canals, 42, 43, 45, 46. 
Justice of peace, 205. 
Jute Mill, 242. 

Kaffa, Wm., 156. 

Ktating, Lieut. F., 149, 159, 166,279,297. 

Keating, Michael, 290. 

Keeden, Michael, 299. 

Keefe, John, 166. 

Keefe, Thos., 166. 

Keegan, F.. 166. 

Keegau, Francis. 302, 304. 

Keeler, Daniel, 285. 

Kceler, Edward, 302. 

Keeler, Philip, 16(), 275. 

KellogiT, Giles P.., 192. 

Kelly, Jas. F.. 231, 248, 302. 

Kelly, John, 166. 

Kelly, Michael, 166. 

Kelly, Patrick, 160. 

Kelly, I'atrick H., 299. 

Kelly, Thos. F.. 293. 

Kelly, Thos. H., 304. 

Kemp. James, 155. 

Kendrick, Edward E., 113. 

Kendritk, P., 84. 

Kendrick, Thos. H., OS. 

Kcudrick, Wm. W., 275. 



Index. 



317 



Kcimcrly, John, 305. 

Kcnnudy. Patrick, 201. 

Kcnncy. EdwM, 156, 304. 

Kfniify, Rl-v. Ira E., 252. 

Kciiiiy" TI\onias, 201. 

Kcoiiirli, Matthew. 302. 

Keoiiglian, P.itriclc, 293. 

Kerr, John, 277. 

Kevcney, Rev. Thos., 148, 176, 199, 254. 

Kcvfiiey, Rev. T. S., 244. 

Ketcliel, Samuel, 2G8. 

Kilmer, Ini, Sv>(j. 

Kinj;. John M., 40. 

Kimball, Geo. H.. 53. 

Kirnaii. M. C, 270. 

Kittle, Joseph C, 98. 

Kinder, Win., 156. 

Knighr, Edward, 282. 

Kiiiuhts or Pythias?, 2.33, 263. 

Kiiittins bus'iiiess, growth of, 78, 70. 

Knitting, by power, invention of. 61. 62. 

Knitting m.icliinery, of Cohoes inven- 
tors, 132, 133. 

Knitting Mills, condition of in 1874. 226 ; 
condition of in 1857, 134; estab- 
lished, (il, 77, 111, 115, 127, 128, 131, 
1.32, 142. 174. 175, 176. 182. I'.IO, 101, 
192, lOS, 212, 218, 223; sketch of, 
243, 244; statistics of, 212, 213; in 
panic of 1873, 220, 221 ; statistics of 
in 185.3, 110; statistics of in 1847, 87; 
statistics of. in 1855,128; statistics 
of, in 1876. 244. 

Knitting needle factory, 133, 192, 246. 

Knott, Ch.is., 246. 

Kiiower, Beiij., 67. 

Knos, Geo., 166. 

Kolb, Chas, 231. 

Labe. Cilmi, 156. 

Lackey, James, 156. 

Lacy, Patrick, 156. 

Ladies Aid Society, organized, 149; 

work of, 151. 
Lake, Unlet, 69. 
Lally, John, 293. 
Lal.y, Micliael, 289. 
Lanil), D. T., 122, 14-3, 204, 247. 
Lamb, James, 212, 244, 263, 299, 301. 
Lamb, Levi W., 155. 
Lambert, VVm., .33. 
Lamcy, Michael, 167. 
Lanagan, Charles, 292. 
Lanaliaii, John, 166. 
Lancaster street, 226. 
Land, John, 278, 298, 301. 
Land, John E., 166, 303. 
Land, John, & Sons, 198. 
Land, Lewis W., 290. 
Laudon, Dr. Henrv L., Ill, 1.33, 138, 140, 

272, 295, 296, 297. 
Landon, Mr., 113. 
Langlrec, John, 286. 
Lanigan, M., 166. 
Lannigan, Daniel, 1.56. 
Lannigan, Thos., 16(i. 
Lansing, Abraham, 11.3, 280. 
Lansing, Abram, 129, 148, 296. 
Lansing, Abram G.. 26. 42, 45, 49, 110. 
Lansing, Andrew, 28, 110. 
Lansing, Andrew D., 113, 128. 



Lansing, Col. F.. 76. 

Lansing, Donw, .3''. 

Lansing, E-bert W., 22, 301. 

Lansing, Evert, 28. 

Lansing, Evert A.. 270. 

Lansing, F. A., 166. 

Lansing families. 18, 21, 22, 24, 29. 32. 

Lansing, Frans. 22. 

Lansing', Geiret. 20. 24, 29. 

Lansing, Geiret I., 32. 

Lansing, Gerret R., 143, 272. 

Lansing, Henry. 20, 25. 

Lansing, Isaac D. F.. 24, 29, 51, 52, 109, 

113. 131. 143, 238,289. 
Lansing, L W., 302. 
Lansing, Jacob 11 , 25. 41. 
Lansing, Jacob I.. 74, 80. 98, illO, 111, 

113, 114, 145. 289, 296. 
Lansing, .lacob L., 38. 
Lnnsing, James, 123. 
Lansing, John, 22. 271. 
Lansing, Join; V. S., 22, 28, 138, 194, 

209,'21(). 217. 244. 252, 297, 304. 
Lansing, John W..291. 
Lansing, l>evinns S.. 279. 
Linsing, Myron C. 290. 
Lansing, Rutger, 24. 29, 33. 
T aiisinu'. Thomas. 72. 
Lansingbiirg Bridge Co., 210. 
1 ansinLiburg. biidire to. 
Lar Patrie Nouvelle. 228,249. 
l.arkii.s, -Tohn, 114. 296. 
LarUins, Michael. 114. 259. 
Larkins, Thos., 291, .302. 
La Salle, Denry E., 133. 272. 
La Salle. Rev. J. O., 224, 254. 
Latta, John, 166. 
Latta, John 15., 302. 
Latta, Michael. 285. 
Latta. Thos., 166. 
Langhlin, Hugh. 29\ 
Langhlin. Joseph. 293. 
Lauzon, F. X., 288. 
I/Avenir National, 223. 
Lawler, Michael, 291. 
Lawrence, Abram. 276. 
Lawrence, Geo., 296. 297, 298, 299. 
Lawrence, Robt. W., 166. 
Lebard, Frank, 155. 
Lc Bocuf, Francis, 155. 
Le Boeuf, Joseph, 196, .301. 
Le Bocuf, Louis G., 228, 305. 
Le Boeuf, Peter, 139. 
Lc Bron, & Ives, 67. 
Leckie, Robert. 53, 272. 
LecUie, Win.. (i3, 88, 110, 128, 151, 293. 
Lecture course, 121. 
Lee, Jolni, 166. 
Leo, Reuben, 263. 
Leflferts, Geo., 166. 
Lefterts, Geo. Jr.. 166. 
Leland, D. W., 84, 272. 
Leonard, Rev. Jacob, 253. 
Leorard, 'I iniothv. 38. 
Le Rov, Allred, 210, 222, 226, 244, 29.'*, 

302, .303, 305. 
Lc Roy, Lamb & Co., 212. 
Lcvison, 11., 261. 

Liuverse or l.ievensc family, 17, IS, 22. 
Lieverse, Peter, 29. 
Ligl:lball, Nicholas, 71, 



318 



Index. 



Lighthall, Wra. K.. 295, 296. 

Lime, Cement & Plaster Mill, 204. 

Lime & Cement Mill, 247. 

Limerick, Samuel, 156. 

Lincoln, A., funeral of, 158. 

Link, John A, 194. 

Link, Peter, 72. 

Link, Wm., 40, 54. 

Linnen, Bernard, 305. 

Linnen, Tlio#., 166. 

Little, John, 297. 

Lockhcad, Rev. Wm., 71, 252. 

Lock^:, enlargement of, 48, 49 ; location 

of, 44, 45. 
Long, John, 300. 
Long, Michael, 167, 181, 299, 300. 
Long, William, 166, 274. 
Longley, Chas. S., 305. 
Longley, Gideon, 71, 280. 
Longliery, Hugh, 166, 275. 
Lounsberry, Charles, 167. 
Lounsberry, Jas , 167. 
Lounsberry, Nicholas D., 166, 279. 
Lounsberry, Richard D., 299. 
Lounsberry, Robt., 167. 
Lovejoy, Benjamin P., 289. 
Lovcjov, Samuel W., 148, 289, 302, 303. 
Lovehuid & Palmer, 82, 105. 
Lowe, Chas., 166. 
Luckin, James, 284. 
Ludden, Rev. John, 254. 
Luddy, J. B., 228. 
Luffman, John D., 85, 100. 
Lynch, Bartholomew, 167. 
Lynch, John, 166. 
Lynch, John A., 155. 
Lynch, Michael, 286. 
Lyon, HeberT., 127. 
Lyons, Anna, 176. 
Lyons. Henry, 272, 285, 297. 
Lyons, John, 148, 283, 298. 

McAlear, Edwd. J., 304. 
M'Alpine, Wm. J., 70. 
McArdle, Edward, 289. 

McCabc, , 168. 

M'Calla, Ales., 98. 
McCarthy, Edward, 298. 
McCarthy, James, 277. 
McCarthy. John, 168, 277. 
McCarty, John, 167. 
McClary, Bernard, 288. 
McCloarv, Daniel B., 168,290. 
McCormick, John, 168. 290. 
Mccormick, Patrick, 293. 
McCready, Edward, 168, 194, 262. 
McCready, Geo. B.. 167. 
McCready, John, 167. 
McCulloch, Chas., 167, 262. 
McCulloch, J., 302. 
McCulloch, John, 299. 302. 
McCulloch, William. 167. 
McCnsker. John, 167. 
McCoun, John, 155. 
McLean, Archibald, 286. 
McDermott, John, 141, 181. 
McDermott, Owen, 289. 
McDermdtt, Patrick, 167. 
McDonald, D. 1'., 90. 
McDonald, Frederick. 168. 
McDonald, James, 167. 



McDonough, Thomas, 293. 

McDowell, Geo. H., 264. 

McDowell, Robert, 167. 

McKIroy, Alex., 156. 

McElwain avenue, 229. 

McElwain, Daniel, 88, 141, 17.5, 191, .301, 

305. 
McEneruy. John, 98, 140. 
McEntee, Patrick, 84, 271. 
McBvenia, Peter, 300. 
McEwan, John, 263, 305. 
McGafferny, James. 156. 
McGafflu, James, 167. 288. 
McGafUn. John, 167, 274. 
McGarrahan, M., 304. 
McGarry, Robt., .302. 
McGill, John, 107, 113, 295, 296. 
McGovern, Robt., 167. 
McGrail, Michael, 293. 
McGrath, Pat'k, 299, 300. 
McGray, Timothy. 114. 
McGuire, John, 1.55. 168. 
McGuire, M., 302. 
McGuire, Michael, 1.56, 302, 303. 
McGuire, Thos., 168. 
McGuirk, Chas., 1.55. 
McGuirk, James, 302, .303, 304. 
Mcintosh, Daniel, 156, 2fi0. 304. 
Mcintosh, Daniel E., 298, 299, 300. 
Mcintosh Hose Co., 232, 259. 
Mcintosh, John, 273. 
McKee, Alonzo J., 281. 
McKee, .las. B., 178, 226, 300, 302, 304. 
MnKee, I'at. J., 305. 
McKernan, M., 102, 105. 
McKinnon, William R., 167. 
McLuckcy, David, 286. 
McMahon, Patrick, 167. 
McManus, James, 167. 
McMar. Frank, 156. 
McMartin, James, 147, 247. 
McMillan, Wm. A., 286. 

McMullen, , 168. 

McMullen, Johu, 299. 
McMurray, James, 155. 
McNamara, Thomas, 290. 
McNiven, Johu, 260. 
McNiveu. Malcolm, 263. 
McPlmil, Malcolm, 263. 
McTigue, Thomas, 291. 
McVey, Patrick, 167. 
McWlia, Alex., 296. 
Maby, Wm., 259. 

Machine shop, 57, 82, 101, 128, 219 ; es- 
tablished, 175, 199; statistics of. 
1876, 246. 
Magee, Edw'd, 288. 
Magnire, Samuel, 156. 
Mahar, Daniel, 289. 
Mahar, John, 167. 
Mahar, Thos., 155. 
Mahon, John C, 286. 
Main street, 43, 116, 204. 
Maitland, James, 273. 
Maitland, Robert, 285. 
Maitland, Samuel, 274. 
Major, Rev. John W., 33. 
Mahiny, Patrick, 276. 
Mallery, Wiilard, 167. 
Mallerv, Wriglat, 58, 159, 287, 298. 
Mangham.J., 168, 278. 



Index. 



319 



ManKham, Michael, 167. 

Mann, Fi-;incis N.,191. 

Manning, Daniel F., 167, 179, 302. 

Manning, Egbert A., 167. 

Manning, James F., 167. 

Manning, Wm., 98, 106, 121, 159, 167, 
193. 

Manor avenue, 15. 

Mansfield, L. W., 131, 174, 825. 270. 

Mansfield, Wm. P., 270. 

Mansfield & Hay, 131. 

Manton, James, 270. 

Mauton, Patrick, 168. 

Mauton, Peter, 149. 153, 175, 189, 279, 
299, 300. 

Manufacturers' Bank, 209, 249. 

Manufactures, statistics uf. 81, 86, 87, 
119, 120, 147, 205, 213; in, 1876, 242, 
to 248. 

Marshall, P. E., 303, 304. 

Marshall, Rev. L. U., 253. 

Martin, Wm., 268. 

Masouic organizations, 260. 

Masta, Peter, 155. 

Masten, James H., 1.39, 148, 181, 225, 
2-18, 250. 251,298, 301, 303, 304. 

Mastodon, discovery of, 185 to 189. 

"Mastodon Mill," commenced, 185; 
completed, 195; exiension com- 
pleted, 211. 

Mather, Geo., 167, 261. 

Maxwell, John, 131, 133. 

Mavhew, Geo., 168. 

Mayhcw, Geo. Sr., 167. 

Maynard, Rev. W. H., 180, 253. 

Mead, Wm. H., 273. 

Meads, John N., 275. 

Meagher, Michael, .305. 

Mechanic's Savings Bank, 217, 250. 

Medical Societv, Cohoes, 263. 

Meeker, Rev. W. H., 253, 260. 

Meikleham, Robt., 288. 

Melahy, .Michael, 167. 

Meredith, Rev. R. R., 253. 

Merrifield, R.. 119. 

Methodist church, 54, 92; organized, 
71; built, 73; 41, 101; dedicated, 
145; history of, 253; Park church, 
254 ; the present, commenced, 141. 

Miggins, James, 156, 167. 

Milestones, location of, 41. 

Military companies. 262. 

Miller, E. L.. 59. 

Mill r, Geo. W., 98,968. 296. 

Miller, Jacob W., 84. 88, 93, 118, 148, 149, 
281 

Miller, John A., 98. 

Miller, Lvnian, 167. 

Miller, MVs., farm of, 29. 

Miller, Stephen C, 102, 110, 283. 

Miller, Wesley, 264, 304, .305. 

Miller & Van Santvooid's Block, 92. 

Mills, E. A., 263. 

Mills, Henry. 260. 

Mills. John W., 288. 

Mills's saw mill, 81. 

Mills, Wm., 167. 

Mills & McMartin, 147. 

Mink, Geo., 254. 

Mirault, Joseph, 291. 

Mitchell, John, 155. 



Mohawk Engine Co., organized, 114. 
Mohawk mill, 120, 190,244; built, 92; 

destroyed, 223. 
Mohawk River Mills, 127, 132. 
Mohawk street, 204, 229 ; line of, 143, 

144; paved, 219. 
Mokler, James, 293. 
Molamphy, Hu'^h, 167. 
Molamphy, Rody, 167. 
Monahonj Arthur, 293. 
Moiiahon, M., 148, 151, 159, 185, 281, 300. 
Monk, Oliver, 167. 
Monk, Edward, 168, 217, 249, 305. 
Monk, Geo., 168, 290. 
Monk, J. H., 168. 
Monogue, John, 293. 
Monroe, Gordon, 168. 
Mooney, Daniel, 167. 
Moouey, Peter, 167. 
Mooney, Peter B., 168. 
Mooney, Tliomas, 168. 
Moore, Dr. J. W., 168, 209, 246, 263, 299. 
Moore, Joseph, 285. 
Moore, John, 167. 
Moore, Patrick H., 98. 
Moore, Roht. B., 114. 
Moore, S. C, 114. 

Moore, Thomas at Cohoes, 12, 13, 14. 
Moore, Timothy, 156, 301, 304. 
Moore, Wm., 182, 210, 212, 215, 218, 244. 
Moore & Hiller, 1S2, 196. 
Moran, James, 168. 
Moran, Peter, 114. 
Morehead, Jas. M., 212. 
Morris, David, 217, .302, 303. 
Morris, G. M., 127. 
Morrison. Colwell & Page, 179, 245. 
Morrison, Henry, .300. 
Morrison, James, 212, 245. 
Morrison, William, 167. 
Mouselln de lalue Block, 82. 
Moulthrop, John, 303. 
Moultlirop, Johu B., 289. 
Mudge, Joseph, 63. 71, 74, 267. 
Mulcahy, B., ISO, 301. 
Mulcahy, Wm., 156. 
Miildowney, Chas., 299. 
Mnlholland, Michaul, 289. 
Muller, Conrad, 224. 
Miillin, Thomas. 290. 
Munro, Duncan, 194. 303. 
Munro. Thos., 168. 
Murphey, Thos. A.. 167, 302, 303, 304. 
Murphy, Martin, 167. 
MurphV, William, 167, 292. 
Murphy, Patrick K., 290. 
Murray, Edward, 296. 
Murray, Henry, 167. 
Murrav, James. 260. 
Murray, M., 167. 
Murray, Michael, 167. 
Murray, Peter, ;305. 
Musgrove, A. C, 152, 168, 278. 
Music HaM Block, 225. 
Mussey, E. G., 83, 260, 296, 300. 
Myer, Rev. Gilbert M. P., 252. 

Naery, Peter, 168. 
Na.'le, P., 302. 
Nagle, Richard, 302. 
Nagle, Thos., 299. 



320 



Index. 



Ncnlcy, Clin<=., 260. 

No.-iry, Patrick, 279. 

Keil, Geo., 2(il. 

Ncllimn, Will., 303. 

Nellis, W. H.,257. 

Nelson, Nicliol.-is, 168. 

Nelson, Peter, 2.5-t. 

New.'irk street, opened, 111. 

Newby, Tlios., 303. 

NcwsiMpevs, (!St;iblisliefl, 83, 1S5, 203, 

217, 328; eli.mgcs, 99, 102,180,248,249. 
Nichols, A., 168. 
Nichols, Edw.-u-il, 155, 168. 
Niles, W'm. W., 241. 
Niskavnna, 15, 10, 17, 19, 33. 
Niver," Peter IX, 141, 147,156, 175,233, 

297, 303, 304, 305. 
Nolan, .lohn, 202. 
Nolan. .Tohn, B., 108. 
Nolan Steamer Co.. 259. 
Nol:ni, Thos , 231, 300, 303, 304. 
Nolan, W. H., 263. 
Noonan, Michael, 3C.3. 
Noonar, Wm., 277. 
Normilc, Dennis, 291. 
North, Chas. F., 178. 221, 301, 304. 
Norlli, Norris. 142, 299, .302, 
North Mohawk St., See Crescent road. 
Noi-tlieni l]erakl,Thc, 228, 249. 
Notrhside, 52. 
Norton, Geo. H.. 168, 202. 
Norton, Hiram C, 168. 
Norton, William P., 168. 
N(<tmai). .Tames, 168. 
Novelty Works, 120. 
Nugent, D mie!, 271,300. 
Nn^'eut, Thos., 168. 
Nuirent, Wm.,284. 
Nut I'aclorv, 192. 
Nutlall, John A., 244. 
Nut tall, Samuel, 194. 
Nnttali, Thomas. 156. 
Nnttall, Wm., 139, 208. 244 
Nuttall, Wni. & Co., 196. 

O'Brien, Chas., 74,88,271. 

O'Brien, J., 168. 

O'Brien, .Tames. 300. 

O'Brien, John. 3 0. 

O'l'.iic^n, Michael, 169. 

O'Brien, I'atruk, 169. 279. 

O'Brien, Timothy, 293. 

O'Hrien. William. KiO. 

O'Day, Simon, 168, 277. 

O'Day, Thos., o04. 

O'D iimel, 'I'hos., 168. 

O'llare, llnu'h, 168. 300. 

O'Hare, James, 153, 159, 168. 

O'Hare, M., 137. 

O'Hearn. Timothy. 168. 

O'Keele, Cornel ins, -,'89. 

O'Learv.. Coinc'liiw, 189. 

O'Neil," Bernard, 281. 

O'Neil, J.,301 

O'Neil, John, 168. 287. 

O'Neil. Thos., 168. 

O'Keillv. Kd-.vard, 148, 276, 290. 

Odd Fellows. 261. 

O-den Mills, 86. 119, 242; hnildinp; of, 
80, 81, 82 ; Co. lormed, M ; enlaif,'ed, 
179 ; sold, 146 ; strike iu, 105, 136. 



Oliver Bro?., 19B. 

Oliver, John, 276.' 

Olmstead, Francis, 48, 67, 240. 

Olmstead, G. T., 97. 

Olm-ted, Chas. A., 63, 64, 76, 81, 82, 85, 

8:^, 91. 93, 95, 96, 97, 100, 105, 113, 

137, 143, 240, 295. 
Omnihns bill, 230. 
Onderdonk, A. F., 248. 
Oneida sir. cr, 40, 55, 116, 225; paved, 219. 
Ontario street, 225 ; arched, 80, 116, 225 ; 

opening of, 191. 
Orchard street, 226. 
Orciitt, Origeu, 273. 
Orelnp, Chas. W., 155, 283. 
Orelii]), John, 74,295. 
Orelnp, Wm. Jr., 140, 200, 274, 295, 297, 

298. 
Orelnp, Wm. Sen.. 273, 296. 
Oriskany street, 204. 
Osterhoiit, A. A., 286. 
Osterhout, Henrv, 168. 
Osterhont, HeurvO.,277. 
Osterhout, Wm.,274, 295,296, 300. 
Osrrander, Lorenzo, 168. 
Ostrom, Abrani. 295. 
Ostrom, 1). S.. .300. 
Onderkirk family, 18, 21. 
0^•erpau^,'h, I. F., 98. 
OverpauL'h. I. F. & Childs, 105. 
Owen, Edward H., 276. 
Owen, S., 153, 155, 169, 253, 262, 303,304. 
Owen, Silas, Sen., 71. 
Owens, John, 293. 

Packard, Edward, 279. 

Padley. Wm., 274. 

Page, Edward N., 179, 245, 302. 

Page, J( hn, 281. 

Page, Thomas, 263, 291. 

Paint, mill burned, 91. 

Paisley, Jolm, 169. 

Paisley, Thos.. 169. 

Palmer, Wm T., 82, 98, 105, 111. 

Panic, of 1857, effects of, 134. 135, 136; 

of 1873, effects ol, 220, 231, 236. 
Paper box niannl'acture, commeuced, 

179; siatistics of, 247. 
Paper mill, of Gerret Clutc, 40, 45; 

built and rebuilt, 173; enlarged, 

179; sold, 211. 
Parker, John, 116. 
Parker, Josejjh, 155. 
Parker, Kossuth, 293. 
P.iiker, J)r. Thos, S., 263. 
Parker, William, '-91. 
Park Methodist Church, 254. 
Parks, James, 169. 

Parks, Robert, 169 / 

Parkhnrst, Dariu-, 88, 98, 113, 200, 296. 
Parkhnrst, Orson, 75, 260, 296. 
Parkhnrst, O. & D., «0, 87, 93-, 100, 120. 
Parmelee, Elias,.3S. 
Parmalee Engine Co., 98, 113. 
P.usons, J. H., 146. 
Parsons & Co. J. H., 192, 215, 244. 
Parsons, L. S., 127, 128, 146, 149, 151, 

153, 376. 
Partridge, John. 280. 
Pattengill, liev. H., 253. 
Paitric, S.)lvian, 155. 



Index. 



321 



Paul. A., 175. 

Pavement, laid, 203, 219, 236. 

Paxtou. Thos., 169. 

Pease, Chas. S., 2*9. 

Pease, Theo. W., 305. 

Pease, Rev. L. H., 253. 

Peck, Abram, 139, 255. 

Peck, A. G., 245. 

Peck, B. R., 105, 120. 

Peck, William, 169. 

Peebles, Gerret, 37, 38. 

Peerless Mills, 213. 

Penfold, Wm., 273. 

Peniiiman, Wm. C, 39. 

Peiiniman, Syivanus J., 33, 

Ponnock, .A.rtemus, 156. 

Peunock, P. E., 247, 297. 

People's Railway Guide, 249. 

Perham, C. O., 114. 

Perham & Pettis, 88. 

Perry, John D., 270. 

Pettis, II. N., 114, 271. 

Peverly, Liddell, 271. 

Phelps, Alfred, 43, 54,96,112,179, 278, 
295, 296. 

Phelps, A. L., 85. 

Phelps, Francis, 192. 

Phelps, Rnssell, 63. 

Phillips, Joseph, 2S6. 

Pickering, Moses, 181. 

Pierce, John, 3S. 

Pierson, John, 292. 

Pillings, Thomas, 255. 

Pin factorv, established, 127 ; moved, 
142 ; new building for, 207. 

Pindar, Thos., 169. 

Pine Grove mill, 219, 244. 

Pine street, 103. 

Pipe factory, 212; enlarged, 235; sta- 
tistics of, 246. 

Pitcher, D., 169. 

Pitcher, Rev. Wm., 33, 110. 

Place, Jas. E., 245, .300. 

Plank road built, 106. 

Plantz, Geo, H., 169. 

Plaster mill. See Lime. 

Platz, M., 259. 

Pohlman, Rev. Dr., 141. 

Police, force established, 181 ; change 
in, 202. 

Police justice elected, 112. 

Pomeroy, Rev. 15enj.,253. 

Poole, Abram, 302. 

Poor, overseer of, 205, 209. 

Porter, Albert, 261. 

Porter, Jonathan G., 169. 

Porter & Hall, 137. 

Post Lyon, G. A. R., 2.32, 262. 

Post Office established, 58; burned, 84; 
history of, 2,50. 

Potter, Lewis, 169. 

Potter, Rev. L., 2,53. 

Powers, David, 1(59 . 

Powers, Peter, 296, 300. 

Powers, Richard, 189, 301. 

Powers, K. J., 305. 

Prairie, John, 290. ^ 

Presb\ terian church. 92, 101 ; organized, 
72 : enlarged, 199 ; history of, 253. 

Prescott, Col., .39. 46. 

Prescott, Joseph B., 98. 

41 



Pruyn. Robert H., 118. 
Pulver, W. H., 169. 
Piimpelly H , 113, 119. 
Piiunett, Ilcnrv, 67. 
Piirdy, John, 156. 
Putnam. Lewis, 169. 
Pynes, Thos., 169. 

Quackenbush, Isaac, 84, 85, 139, 148, 

178, 297. 
Quilliiian, Dennis F., 292. 
Qnuian, John, 303. 
Quinlan, Patrick, 291. 
Qiiinliven, Michael, 169. 
Quirk, John, 304. 

Rabbitt, James, 304. 

Rabbitt, Piit'k, 156. 

Radcliffe, .'.aron, 293. 

R;ifterty, John, 169, 279. 

Rail Road, Troy & Schenectady, 73, 74, 
88, 114; Albany & Cohoes, proposed, 
100, 101; opened, 117, 118; trains 
to Troy, 219. 

Railway Guide, 249. 

Ranken, Henry S., 192, 244. 

Rankun Knitting Co., 191, 244. 

Ranken, Hugh, 191. 

Ranken, \V m. J., 1<?2. 

Raymond, Rev. H. A., 33. 

Raynsford, Norton T., 271, 296. 

Reamer, Benj., 33. 

Reavy, Frank C, .301, .302, 303. 

Recorder, 205, 209, 2.30, 231. 

Recruiting. See Enlistments. 

Redmond, J., 169. 

Redmond, Martin, 258, 301. 

Redmond,Mich'iel, 169, 231, 202, 300, 304. 

Reed, Rev. V. D., 148, 253. 

Reed, William, 169. 

Reeves, Patrick, 292. 

Reeves, Terrence, 303. 

Reformed Dutch church, organized, 71 ; 
destroyed, 140; rebuilt, 141; dedi- 
cated, 145 ; history of, 252. 

Reinhart, H. S., 288. 

Reinhart, Harvey, 169. 

Rem sen, Peter, 48, 65, 67. 

Remsen street, 55, 73, 10.3, 116, 204, 225, 
226; arched, 80, 116; extension of, 
proposed, 110 ; paved, 203, 236 ; ex- 
tension of, 233. 

Rensselaerswyck, Manor of, 15, 20. 

Renwick, Wm., 71. 

Reservoir, estimates for, 129; author- 
ized, 195 ; commenced, 131 ; com- 
pleted, l;^9, 203. 

Revolutionary war,Cohoessoldiersin,32. 

Reynolds, John, 169. 

Rhodes, Mr., 71. 

Richard, Henry, 169. 

Richmond, Alexander, 289. 

Richmond, Elbert E.,258. 

Richmond, John, 181. 

Rider, Alfred, 298 

Rider, Earl D., 169. 

Ridi r, Geo. B., 155. 

Rider, Henry C, 114. 

Rignor, Alfred, 169. 

Riley, C, 245. 

Riley, Hugh, 169. 



322 



Index. 



Rilny, James, 169. 
Eiley, Jeremiah, 169. 
Riley, Lawrence, 169. 
Riley, Matthew, 277. 
Ring, John H , 301,302. 
Riverside Mill, 182, 190. 
Roach & Jones, 59. 
Ro''bius Garret, 299. 
Robbius, Henry E., 98. 
Roberts, Henry, 169, 263. 
Roberts, Wm., 169. 
Roberts, Wm. Jr., 49. 
Robertson, John, 156. 
R binson, James, 169. 
Robinson, Joseph. 169. 
Robinson, Mr., 54. 
Rock Alley, 103. 
Rockfellow, Henry, 74. 
Rockwell, A. F., 98. 
Rogers, Chas., 300. 
Rogers, Patrick, 61, 247. 
Rogers's Block, 219. 
Rogers's Woolen mill, 81. 
Rogerson, Robt., 297. 
Rolling mill, 124, 179; statistics of, 245. 
Rollowine, Frederick, 169. 
Rooney, Bryan, 169. 
Root, A. J., 146, 191, 216, 244. 
Root, J.G., 127, 140, 146; & Sons,146, 244. 
Root, S. G., 146, 194, 244, 299. 
Root's mill, 149, 244 ; bnrned, 222 ; re- 
built, 223. 
Rose, Dr. Ira B., 283. 
Ross, Patrick H., 288, 303. 
Rossiter, John, 299, .300. 
Rounce, Rev. H., 252. 
Round, Rev. D., 110, 252. 
Rousseau, Joseph, 291. 
Roy's butt factory, 81. 
Ruukle, Isaac F., 114. 
Russell, Anthony, 300. 
Russell, James, 169. 
Russell, John, 169, 286. 
Russell, Joseph, 109. 
Russell, W. D., 84. 
Ryan, Bernard, 304, 305. 
Ryan, Dennis, 290. 
Ryan, Edward, 156,292. 
Ryan, James, 169, 281. 
Ryan, Michael, 285. 
Ryan, Patrick, 293. 
Ryan, Peter, 291. 
Ryan, Thomas, 231, 284, 304. 
Ryan, William, 293. 

St. Bernard's church, organized, .91 ; 
completed, 188 ; damaged, 229 ; par- 
sonage of, 199; the present, com- 
menced, 176 ; history of, 254. 

St. Bernard's T. A. B. Society, 261. 

St. Cliarles, L., 263. 

St. George Society, 263. 

St. Jean Baptiste Society, 233, 263. 

St. John, Chas. E., 98. 

St. John, H., 64. 

St. John's Brotherhood, 263. 

St. John's church, organized, 56, 57 ; 
built, 60 ; alterations in, 145 ; open- 
ing of, 205; history of, 252. 

St. Joseph's church, commenced, 196 ; 
dedicated, 199; Mst.,2a4; rebuilt, 224. 



St. Joseph's Union, 264. 

St. Onge, Treffle, 170. 

St. Vincynt de Paul Society, 262. 

Safely, Dr. A. P., 170, 282. 

Safely, James, 71. 

Safely, Robert, 64, 140, 198. 

Sager, Alexander, 170. 

Sager,StaatsA., 170. 

Sailors. See Soldiers. 

Salisbury, James, 82. 

Sanborn, Lorenzo D., 155, 261. 

Sanders, Jerome, 283. 

Sanderson, John, 260. 

Sanford, J. C, 247. 

Saratoga street, 225, 226 ; surveyed, 49. 

Sargent street, paved, 219. 

Sash & blind factory, 82, 87, 105, 120, 

1.37, 142, 246. 
Sangon, Rev. L. H.,196, 199, 254, 283. 
Sault, Samuel, 249, 261, 262. 
Savings Bank, Mechanics, 250; organ- 
ized, 217. 
Savings Institution, Cohoes, 249 ; incor- 
porated, 113; opened, 119. 

Savoid, Lewis, 114. 

Saw Mill, Hugh White's, 57, 68; Lan- 
sing's, 29, 45; of Hawes & Baker, 
65; of Mills, 81. 

Saw works, 146. 

Sawyer, Mason, 61. 

Sase, John T., 247. 

Sayres, John, 46, 50. 

Schenck, P. H., 67. 

Schermerhorn, Barent C, 286. 

Schenectady, 9, 11, 17. 

Schmidt, Paul, 286. 

School act of 1850, 106. 

School established, 40, 50. 

School houses built, 40, 93, 126, 199, 204, 
255, 256. 

Schools, changes in, 106; organization 
of, in 1851,113; in 1855, 125,126; in 
1876, 256 ; sketch of, 255 to 258. 

School teachers, 256. 

Schoonmaker, John, 71. 

Schouten, Wm., 69. 

Schroeder, Henry, 288. 

Schuyler, Col., 25. 

Schuyler, Philip, 27. 

Scofield, Joseph, 170. 

Schofield, William, 293. 

Scott, Jas. D., 263. 

Scott, John, 132, 218, 244, 304. 

Scott, Lemuel, 142, 274, 

Scott, Roger, 170. 

Scott, Thos.,155, 304, 305. 

Scott, Wm., 170. 

Scott & Stewart, 214. 

Scovill, Chas., 170. 

Screw factory, 38, 39, 41, 46. 

Scully, Daniel, 281. 

Scully, John, 301, .302, 303. 

Scullv, John U., 170. 

Scully, M. H., 170. 

Scully, Patrick, 156. 

Seaport, I'hiist an, 170. 

Searles, Wiilian^, 289. 

Seelye, Seth, .38. 

Seiler, Daniel, 156. 

Selleck, Nathaniel, 271. 

Senator, from Cohoes, 305. 



Index. 



323 



Seneca street bridge, 109. 

Sewers constructed, 204, 226, 229. 

Sexton, Rev. H. L.. 253. 

Seymour, Geo. R.. IVIi. 

Shackleford, Rev. J. W., 252. 

Shaffer, Fred., 170. 

Shannon, James, Tl. 74. 

Shannon, Richard, 170, 302. 

Shannon, Wm., 98, 114, 149, 150, 151, 

153, 1.59, 170, 277, 297, 300. 
Sharp, Absalom, 170, 288, 302, 303. 
Shaughnessv, John, 170. 
Shaver, Nathan, 261, 304. 
Shaw, Albert, 170. 
Shaw, Christopher, 170. 
Shaw, Isaac, 170. 
Sheehau, Jones & Ryan, 220, 222. 
Sheehan, Michael, .303, 304. 
Shepard, Chas., 170. 
Shepard, Edward, 175. 
Shepard, Henry, 114. 
Shepard, Joseph, 170. 
Shepherd, H. D , 282. 
Sheppard, Henry, 304. 
Sheridan, Bernard, 170. 
Sheridan, Patrick, 298. 
Sheridan, Wm., 155. 
Sherlock, Michael, 302. 
Shields, John, 170. 
Shields, Peter, 170. 
Shields, Thos., 170. 
Shipley, Geo., 170, 277. 
Ship street, 2:54. 
Shires, Geo., 279. 
Short, John, 290. 
Shortsleeves, John, 170. 
Shortsleeves, Joseph, 170. 
Shovel factory, 41. 
Sidewalks, bad condition of, 107 : laid, 

116, 142. 
Silcocks, John E., 171. 
Sill, James M., 140,219. 
Siiliman, H. B., 102, 106, 123, 131, 135, 

139, 148, 149, 1.^)0, 153, 1.54, 181, 194, 

195, 208, 209, 217, 348, 253, 267, 283, 

301, .302. -i^ " 
Siiliman, Levi, 61, 70, 72, 80, 81, 245, 267. 
Siiliman, Mri. Clarissa, 72. 
Sillimau's Block, 92. 
Simmons, Baltheus. 71, 270. 
Simmons, Daniel, 04, 71, 87, 113, 115, 

120, 133, 1.34, 136, 140, 141, 245, 273. 
Simmons, Geo. E., 303, 304. 
Simmons's Island, 37 ; dyke to, built, 

141. 
Simmons, Jonas, 124, 175, 179, 267, 29 

298. 
Simons, Chas. E., 261. 
Simons, J. A., 114, 177, 282, 295. 
Simons & Ives, 114. 
Simpson, Clark, 170. 
Simpson, Daniel, 156, 194, 259, 286, 298, 

300, 301, 302. 
Simpson, Frank, 305. 
Simpson, John F., 299. 
Simpson, Joseph, 298. 
Siucliir, Wm., 67. 
Sinophv, Matthew, 156. 
Sisters of St. Joseph, 145, 146. 
Sitterly, Abram, 170. 
Sitterly, G., 170. 



Sitterly, Henry, 170. 

Sitterly, Martin, 170. 

Skating Parks, 174, 175. 

Skinkle, Chas., 261. 

Skinkle, Wm. L., 170. 

Slater, James, 170. 

Slater, Samuel, 268. 

Slaveholding, 30, 31. 

Slavin, John, 304. 

Slavin, Thos., .302, 303. 

Slocum, De Witt D., 270. 

Slocum, G. A., 97. 

Slocum, G. J., 90. 

Slocum, Stephen, 123, 278. 

Slocum & Granger, 75. 

Smead, Wm., 156, 299. 

Smith, Abram L., 280. 

Smith, Albert, 212; & Co., 235, 246. 

Smith, A. W., 170. 

Smith, Benj., 260. 

Smith, Gregory & Co., 132. 

Smith, Harvey, 190. 

Smith, John H., 170. 

Smith, Martin, 171. 

Smith, Michael, 170. 

Smith, Nicholas W., 271. 

Smith, Peter, 296, 298. 

Smith, Peter M., 274. 

Smith, R. G.,300. 

^mith, Thos., 303. 

Smith, Waterman, 146. 

Smith, Wm., 132, 155, 282. 

Smith, Wm. S., 187, 194, 217, 243, 250, 

255, 298, 299, 300. 
Snell, Joseph, 170. 
Soap ftictory, 147, 247. 
Social singing in Mansfield's Mill, 174; 

in Music Hall, 225. 
Sofa Victory, 82, 87. 
Soldiers, letters from, 152; return of, 

153, 154 ; enlistment of, 149, 150, 156, 

157; list of, 160-172. 
Solon, Louis, 155. 
Sous of Scotia, 262. 
Soup house established, 136. 
Southworth, Wm. S.,291. 
Spafford, Horatio, .39. 
S|.ain, Roger, 170. 
Spanier, Louis, 127. 
Spanswick, Chas., 254. 
Specie, scarcity ol, 153. 
Spencer, A. C, 194. 
Spencer, John M., 290, 299. 
Spor, Rev. Alpheus, 148, 252. 
Spr.^gue, Otis, 50, 57. 
Sprinkling cart, 137. 
Staats, Francis S., 156, 181. 
Stacy, D. II., 170. 
Stage line, change in, 114; established, 

44, 70, 89, 90 ; sold, 177. 
Station House, location of, 181 . 
Stanton, Rev. R. P., 253. 
Stanton, Thomas, 293. 
Stanton, Wm., 217, 240, 298, 299, 300, 

302, 304. 
Stapleton, John, 170. 
Star Knitting Co., 190, 244. 
Stark mill burned, 214. 
Starks, Rev. H. L., 180, 2.53. 
Steam fire engines presented to village 

193, 194 ; purchase of, proposed, 181 



324 



Index. 



Stebbins, A. S., 194,263. 

Stebbins, Rev. Cyrus, 252. 

Steele, Kev. John B., 33. 

Steenberg, John P., 74, 84, 95, 286, 295, 

296, 297, 298. 
Steenberg, Marvin, 170. 
Steenberg, Samuel, 300. 
Steer, G., 119. 
Stephens, Joseph, 156. 
Stevens, C. A., 88. 
Stevens, James K., 170, 278. 
Stevens, John, 170. 
Stevenson, Elihu M., 59, 114, 296. 
Stevenson, Geo., 170. 
Stevenson, James, 67. 
Stevenson, John, 59, 63. 
Stevenson, Wm. H., 299, 300. 
Steves, O. P., 257. 
Stewart, Geo. H., 143, 204. 
Stewart, John, 38, 101. 
Stewart. Joseph, 1.32, 304 
Stiles, Edijar H., 304. 
Stiles, Samuel, 271,276. 
Stiles, Sherebiah, 178, 298, 301, 303. 
Stimson, A. E., 127, 279. 
Stimson, E. L., 127, 178, 209. 
Stimson, Jas. A., 259, 262, 303. 
Stinson, S. Edward, 216. 
Stone, Almon E., 152. 
Stone, Nathan, 277. 
Stone, Rawson, 194. 
Stone, Winsor, 127, 174. 
Storer, Chas., 170. 
Stover, Rev. Ensign, 253, 281. 
Stoves, manulacture of, 70. 
Stow, Chauncey, 102, 248, 276. 
Stow, Christopher C, 273. 
Stow, Dennis, 276. 
Straw Board Factory. 128, 143. 
Straw Board Mill, statistics of, 246. 
Street lamps erected, 116. 
Strilies in 1857, 136; in Ogden Mills, 

105, 136 ; scarcity of, 226, 236. 
Strong Mill, 86, 119, 128, 243; building 

of, 81: burned, 123; sold, 182. 
Strover, Geo., 6.3. 
Sullivan, John, 296. 
Sullivan, Wm., 281. 
Sumner, Clark, 50. 
Sunday School, the first, 57; H. H. 

Union, 123, 187, 255. See also in 

hist, oichiirches. 
Sunnyside Mill, 212. 
Swart, S. M.,98. 
Swartz, John B., 170. 
Swartz, John J , 274. 
Sweeney, Jas. B., 304. 
Sweeney, Owen, 273. 
Sword presentations, 153. 
Syms, Chas., 156. 
Syms, Thos. J., 170, 289. 

Tabor, Anson, 260. 

Tanner, H., 262. 

Tape lactorv, 192. 

Tapler, Alonzo, 171. 

Targett, A. S., 233, 260. 

'I'avt rns established, by R. Heamstreet, 

36, 85 : Dyer & Williams, 43 ; "Van 

Der Maik,43, 44. 
Taylor, Alouzo, 171. 



Taylor, Ammon, 171 . 

Taylor, Edward, 50. 

Taylor, Jacob A., 171, 275. 

Tavlor, John H.,171. 

Taylor, Joseph, 289. 

Taylor, Radcliffe, 288. 

Taylor, Rev. Geo. I., 33. 

Taylor, Robert, 171, 263, 275. 

Telegraph established, 133. 

Telfair, Wm. H., 171. 

Temperance Societies, 261,262. 

Temple, Capt. P., 149. 

Ten Eyck, A., 261. 

Ten Eyck, Abram, 235. 

Ten Eyck, Albert, 155, 181, 235, 260. 

Ten Eyck, Alexander, 270. 

Ten Eyck Axe Manufacturing Co., 190, 

222, 235, 245. 
Ten Evck, Geo., 155. 
Ten Eyck, Jacob H., 67. 
Ten Eyck, Jonas, 235, 245, 254. 
Ten Evck, W. J. & Co., 176, 179. 
Tenney, A. & J., 81. 
Tenny & Cowles, 81. 
Terry, Ira, 133, 284. 
i hayer, H. B., 126. 
Thibadeau, Julian, 264. 
Third Separate Co., 232, 262. 
Thomas, Nathan, 254. 
Thomas, Rev. Geo. C, 261. 
Thompson, F., 139. 
Thompson, Geo., 156. 
Thompson, Geo. E., 244 ; & Horrocks, 

212. 
Thompson, Hugh, 153, 180, 287. 
Thompson, Jas. L., 244. 
Thompson, John, 155. 
Thompson, John L., 222. 
Thompson, R. H., 176. 
Thompson, Rev. R., 126, 253. 
Thorn, Wm. E., 194, 209, 210, 241, 243, 

249, 301. 
Thornton, Pat'k, 209. 
Thread factory, 115, 120. 
Thurmaii, R. H., 190, 244. 
Tighe, John, 173, 305. 
Tillinghast, John, 53, 63. 
Tivoli Mill. See Bool. 
Tob.acco factory, 120, 128. 
Tobin, John, 288. 
Tobin, Robert, 171. 
Tompkins, Monroe, 171, 254. 
Tompkins,, Wesley, 171. 275. 
Torongeau, Louis, 171, 275. 
Torrey, Geo. W., 171. 
Tourvillc, Chas., 171. 
Town Hall proposed, 192, 193. 
Tracy, Dr. L. M., 54, 57. 
Tracy, John, 171. 
Tracy, Pat'k, 171. 
Traver, James, 150. 
Travers, Michael, 171. 
Travis, Chas. S., 171, 2(10, 262, 303. 
Travis, Jacob, 113, 123, 135, 210, 216, 

254, 296, 301. 
Travis, Michael, .303. 
Travis, Wm. C, 300, 302, 303. 
Tremain, John M., 80. 
Trim, John, 155. 
Tripp Dr. J. H., 273. 
Tripp, Wm., 171. 



Index. 



325 



Trojan Allev, 103. 

Trost, Henry, 224. 

Trosl & Bezner. 204, 218. 247. 

Troy, John, 171. 

Troy Manufacturing Co., 77, 115, 179, 

244. 
Trull, John, 278. 
Trnll, S. D., 278. 
Trull, Stevens V., 148, 150, 151, 171. 278, 

290. 
Trull street, 229. 
Trustees, Board of, first elected. 96 ; 

deadlock in, 174. 
Tubbs, James, 2(5.3; & Severson, 127, 219, 

24C. 
Tubbs, Rev. Mr., 253. 
Tunnel, of Colioes Co., 239. 
Turner, Adam, 171, 278. 
Tuthill, Clarence, 171. 
Tuthlll, Daniel D., 171, 277. 
Tuthill, Edward, 171. 
Tvvelvetrees, Edward, 280. 
Twichell property, 180. 
Twining & Alden, 85. 
Twist, Sylvanus, 260. 
Tymerson, P. G., 262. 

Uhl, Kred'kS., .300. 
Uuderhill, L., 156. 
Uphani, Fred'k W., 300. 
Upham, Geo. W., 171, 286, 
Upham, Jacob, 272, 295. 
Upham, Willard, 171. 

Vail, A. C, 198. 
Vail, Chas., 156. 

Valley, Louis, 260 

Van Arnam, Abram H., 295. 
Van Arnam, Alonzo, 155. 
VanAuken, 1). H., 139,143, 156, 157, 

182, 203, 204, 210, 227, 240, 247, 252, 
Van Auken, Henry, 99, 107, 295, 296, 

297. 
Van Be'nthuysen, Chas., 101, 173, 179, 

211. 
Van Benthuyseu, Jas. D., 152, 171, 304. 
Van Benthuysen, Myron, 152, 171, 260, 

263, .304. 
Van Buren, Rev. John, 252. 
Vac Brunt, Rev. R., 141, 145. 
Van Den berg, Douw, 271. 
Van Denberg family, 15. 
Van Denberg, Henry, 254. 
Van Denberg, Jacob, 33. 
Van Denberg, John W., 283. 
Van Denberg, Wm. H., 171, 275. 
Van Dercar, Leonard, 95, 131, 297, 300. 
Van Dercar, Thos., 137. 
Van Dercook, C, 303. 
Van Dercook, Geo. 171, 262, 300,305 
Van Dercook, John, 273. 
Van Dercook, John H., 171. 
Van Dercook, Peter, Jr., .300. 
Van Dercook, Peter, Sen., 291. 
Van Der Mark, A., 69. 
Van Der Mark family, 29, 54. 
Van Der Mark, G., 155. 
Van Der Mark, James, 171. 
Van Der Mark, John, 98, 279, 297. 
Van Der Mark, Sylvester, 57. 
Van Der Werken, Abram, 298, 304. 



Van Der Werken, Adam, 122, 285, 300. 

Van Der Werken, Henry J., 293. 

Van Der Werken, Isaac, 55. 

Van Der Werken, Jacob, 49, 54, 55, 70, 
268. 

Van Der Werken, James, 171. 

Van Der Werken, John B., 57, 70,71, 
270. 

Van Der Werken, Wm. H., 98, 271. 

Van Deusen, John, 303. 

Van Dwyer, , 78. 

Van Hagen, Jesse D., 171, 273. 

Vanlouven, Nathaniel, 171. 

Van Nat ten, Isaac, 297. 

V^an Ness, John, 296, 297, 298. 

Van Ness, Zalmon, 152. 

Van Noorstrand, J. J., 17. 

Van Olinda family, 15, 18. 

Van Rensselaer block, 92, 116. 

Van Rensselaer House, (ire at, 104. 

Van Rensselaer, Stephen, 2S, 46, 47, 48, 
65, 67, 101, 240. 

Van Reeth, Rev. Bernard, 91, 254. 

Van Santvoord, John, 84, 88, 95, 100, 107, 
110, 112, 281, 295. 

Van Schaick, C. H., 288. 

Van Schaick family, 16, 17, 22. 

Van Schaick house, 22, 24, 32. 

Van Schaick's Island, 16, 17, 29, 32; 
bridge to, 210, 2.34 ; bridge to, pro- 
posed, 90. 

Van Schaick patent, 52. 

Van Schoonhoven, Guert, 17, 52. 

Van Schoonhoven, Jacobus, 37. 46. 

Van Steenberg W., 171. 

Van Vechten, Tennis, 67, 113, 240. 

Van Vliet, Geo. E., 171, 274. 

Van Vliet, Isaac, 114. 

Van Woert, Stephen P., 273. 

Van Zandt, Gilbert I., 284. 

Varin, Dr. J., 285. 

Vaughan, Charles H., 290. 

Velocipedes, introduced, 198. 

Veneering mill, 65, 80, 120, 128. 

Vermilyea, Gilbert H., 297, 298, 299. 

Vermilyea, Le Roy, 152, 171, 250, 262. 

Viegle, John, 254. 

Vincent, Hiram, 171. 

Visscher, John M^, 282. 

Vosburgh, Philip, 270. 

Vredeuberg, L., 194, 259. 

Wadsworth, Ebenezer, 260. 

Wager, E.G., 233. 

Wager, Geo. H , 156, 182, 190, 192, 250, 

296, 297, 298, 300, 302. 
Wager Hook & Ladder Co., 232, 259. 
Wakeman, John, 175, 178, 216, 244, 

299. 
Walbridge, E. W., 38. 
Walker, Isaac, 172. 
Waldron, Rev. C. N., 110, 145, 180, 252, 

272 
Wall, J., 172. 
Wallace, James, 286. 
Walsh, Michael, 292. 
Walsh, Wm., 1,5.5. 
Walters, Thos., Lieut., 172, 275. 
Wands, Dr. A., 284. 
Wands, Jas. B., 172. 
Ward, Edward, 305. 



326 



Index. 



Ward, John, 286. 

Ward & Robinson, 132. 

Wards, constituted, 125 ; changes in, 

327. 
Warhnrst, Geo. 175, 192, 212. 
Warhurst, Samuel, 171. 
Waring, Franklin, 114, 270, 295. 
Waring & Robbing, 85. 
War meeting, in 1801, 148; in 1862, 151 ; 

in 186.S, '65, 157, 158. 
Warner, Rev. Mr., 253. 
Warner, Wm., 260, 263, 299. 
Warp & Thread Mill, 206, 247. 
Warwick, John P., 98. 
Water act passed, 129. 
Water Commissioners, suits of, 144. 
Waterford, 16. 

Waterford & Cohoes H. R. R., 178. 
Water fund, 230, 231. 
Waterhou'Be, Job. 172. 
Waterhouse, Wm., 285. 
Waterman, F. Y., 43, 54, 58, 250. 
Waterman, Geo. Jr., 244, 261. 
Waters, James, 298. 
Watervliet, city of, 192. 
Watervliet Mill, built. 111, 115 ; leased, 

175, 191. 
Water Works, company formed, 128 ; 

completion of, 139 ; enlargement of, 

195, 203; established, 99, 100; of 

Cohoes Co., sold, 131. 
Watt, Henry, 254. 
Watt, James, 2.54. 
Way. Francis, 285. 
Webber, Chas., 156. 
Webber, John P., 155, 302. 
Weed, Becker & Co., 64, 207 
Weed & Becker MTg Co., 227, 245. 
Weed, Wm. H., 64, 245. 
Weidman, Abram, 71. 
Weidman, Malachi, 15-3, 156, 159, 172, 

226, 262,296. 
Weidman, Paul, 270. 
Weidman, Wm., 172. 
Weir, Robert, 252, 263. 
Welch, Edward, 262, 298. 
Welch, John, 172, 278. 
We.ch, Nicholas, 172. 
Welch, Wm., 296. 
Wells, Chas., 261. 
Wells, Lewis, 114, .300. 
Wells, Rev. G. A., 253. 
Welton, Fred'k, 172. 
Welton, John, 297. 
Western avenue, 219. 
Weston, S. J., 1.32. 
Westover, Charles. 277. 
Westover, Chas. E., 172. 
Westover, J., 171, 297. 
Whale, stranded iu river, 5, 6. 
Whalen, Daniel, 286. 
Whalen, James, 285. 
Wheel factory, 120, 128, 176 ; established, 

115. 
Wheeler, Ezra J., 286. 
Wheeler, Nathaniel, 53, 64. 
Wheeler, Wm. J., 192, 286. 
Whipple, Madison, 172. 
White, Canvass, 28, 47, 48, 52, 65, 116, 

240, 265, 266, 284. 
White, Christopher, 271. 



White, G. K., 115. 

White, Hugh, 27, 50, 52, 57, 61, 67, 101, 
113, 128, 133, 178, 240, 241, 266, 284. 

White, John, 172. 

White, Miles, 76, 91, 97, 96, 100, 110, 113, 
115, 116, 117, 295. 

White, Mrs. Hugh, 270. 

White. Nelson, 303, 305. 

White, Olmsted & Co., 76, 84, 85, 87. 

White, Reuben, 260 

White, Reuben P., 268. 

White, Rev. Myron, 253. 

White street, 103; bridge. 191; paved, 
219. 

White, Wm. M., 1.51, 178. 

Whitehill, Wm., 263, 283, 302, 305. 

Whiting, Mr.. 59. 

Whiting's Factory, 45. 

WheclwriL'ht, David, 156. 

Whitman, Pardon, 5.3. 

Whitney, Geo., 172, 304. 

Whitney, James, 172. 

Whitney, Morris, 1.56. 

Whitney, Sheldon, 172. 

Whitney, Silas, 1.39. 

Whittle, Robert, 292, 298. 

Wickes, VanWyck, 67. 

Wickes, Eliphalet. 67. 

Wickham, Jos., 172, 277. 

Wightraan, Jonathan, 115, 120, 273. 

Wilber, John, 254. 

Wilcox, Alex., 172. 

Wilco.x-, Chas., 302. 

Wilcox, Rich'd, 156. 

Wilcox, Rodney, 175, 260, .302. 

Wild, Alfred, 112. 128, 129, 143, 144, 

152, 187,240,301. 
Wild, Nathan, 112. 
Wild, Wm., 156. 
Wilder, Dauiel, 299. 

Wilder, Nathaniel, 273. 

Wilder, Rev. S., 252. 

Wildricks, Thos., 172. 

Wilkius. Egbert J., 149, 298. 

Wilkins, J. R., 69. 

Wilkinson, Albert S., 57. 

Wilkinson, David. 48, 53, 56, 57, 60, 64, 

96, 260, 268, 287. 
Wilkinson, John L., 64. 
Wilkinson Machine shop, 57, 82; 

burned, 1.37. 
Wilkinson, Miss, 57. 
Wilkinson, Samuel, 97, 98, 100, 283, 
Williams, David, 228, 263; & Eagan, 249. 
Williams, Jones & Ryan, 176. 
Williams, Matthias, 57. 
Williams, Robert, 69, 85, 95. 
Williams, Wm., 139, 156, 276, 293. 
Wllinot, Alonzo, 98. 
Wilson, James, 172, 
Wilson, James R., 276. 
Wilson, Supply F.. 40, 97, 273. 
Winans, Henry, 268. 
Winans, W. H. S., 88, 97. 
Winnie, Amnion, 155. 
Winnie, Jacob, .34. 
Winnie, Killiau F., 294. 
Winnie, lUis, Jr., 67. 
Winterbottom, James, 291. 
Winters, John, 172. 
Wiswali, Ebenezer, 27, 28. 



Index. 



327 



Witbeck'8 Block, built, 199. 

Wltbeck, Dr. C. E., 263, 302, 303. 

Witbeck, Francia, 292. 

Witbeck, Gerret, 27. 

Witbeck, G. L., 131, 1.36. 

Witbeck, Walter, 287, 288, 296, 297, 298, 

299,301. 
Wolcott family, 43. 
Wolford, B., 1.33. 
Wolford & Stephenson, 111. 
Wood, Giles B., 172. 
Wood, John, 172, 275. 
Wood, Joseph, 255. 
Woolen Mill, 81, 
Woolhizer, Fred'k, 172. 
Wordeu, Joseph H., 268. 
Worden, Lorenzo, 297. 
Wormwood, C.V., 171. 
Worsted Co., 81, 87. 
Worthen, Wm. E., 182. 



Wrigley, Lees, 263, 305. 
Wycofif, H. J., 48, 67, 240. 
Wyckoff, Rev. I. N., 145. 

Yale, James, 268. 

Yates, (lapt. J. L., 149, 172. 

Yates, O. P., 85. 

Yonmans, E. L., 115. 

Yonng, James, 172, 274. 

Young, Wm. H., 193. 

Youuglove, M. S., 143, ^6, 299, 301. 

Younsjlove, T. G., 113, 117,119, 120,121, 

123, 127, 128, 129, 136, 140, 142, 143, 

148, 1.52, 178, 182, 204, 209, 216, 241, 

246, 247, 250, 293, 297, 301. 
Young Men's Association, officers of, 

1847, 188. 
Young Men's Christian Association, 

121, 138, 187. 



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